ADELINE "ADDIE" PENNER

With great sadness, the family of Addie Penner announces her passing on December 29th, 2024, with family at her side. Addie is survived by her loving children, Dan (Marnie), Kathy (Rollin) and Paul; grandchildren, Cassidy (Gillian), Claire (Victor), David, Emily (Michael), James (Jess), Samantha (Chris), Brett, and Vic; and great-grandchildren, Jacob, Benji, Martin, Aria, Kai, Jude and Araiyah. She was predeceased by her parents, Martin and Anne.

Addie was a first generation Polish Canadian, raised in the north end where she and her parents were active members of the Polish community.

After obtaining a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Manitoba in 1951, Addie began her career in positions with Jewish Child & Family Services and the Children’s Aid Society of Winnipeg. She then returned to U of M as a part-time Instructor at what became the Faculty of Social Work. She would continue as an educator and administrator for 20 years, eventually assuming the positions of Associate Dean, Acting Dean, Director and Senior Scholar. In 1993, Addie received the Canadian Association of Social Workers Distinguished Social Worker Award and an Honorary Life Membership. In 2000, she received the Helen Mann 50th Anniversary Award from UM’s Faculty of Social Work.

Addie married Roland Penner in 1949 and they supported each other in completing their education and launching their careers. In their early life together, they were involved in Winnipeg’s left-wing political community – something Addie saw as a way to pursue her lifelong passion for human and civil rights. After years of spending holidays camping in an old tent and later, a trailer, Addie and Roland built a beautiful log cabin on Sandy Lake in Northwestern Ontario, which became a beloved family getaway and the scene of many legendary weekends with her close friends.

In middle-age, Addie bought her own house and spent her retirement enjoying Winnipeg’s rich arts scene, volunteering, spending more time at the cottage and travelling the world, including trips to Europe, Israel, Asia and South America.

Addie was a dedicated community volunteer during her working life and into retirement. She served, often as a Board Member, with Main Street Project, West End Cultural Centre, the Manitoba Association for Rights and Liberties, the Children’s Aid Society of Manitoba, the Alzheimer’s Society, South Winnipeg Child & Family Services, Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, Manitoba Medicare Alert Coalition, Assiniboine Credit Union, Creative Retirement, and Astra Non Profit Housing Corporation. She frequently was called upon to advise the provincial government on issues of health, family and community services.

A love of music and the arts was central to Addie’s life. She was an ardent supporter of Canadian artists and actors, often billeting actors, directors and stage managers in her art-filled Scott St home. In the 1950’s she sang with the Winnipeg Folk Singers and, in her retirement years, with the Ladies of the Street choir. She served on the Winnipeg Jazz Society board and sat on the Manitoba Arts Council for ten years.

Addie will be remembered for her compassion, independence, tenacity, humour and formidable intelligence. She was never one to stay silent when she saw something wrong – from global politics, to women’s rights, to a child or grandchild’s bad manners.

During the last several years of her life, Addie fought fiercely against the dementia that ultimately robbed her of all that intelligence and passion, but what we will remember are her strength, wit, and many professional and personal achievements.

Addie’s family would like to extend our thanks to the staff at Riverview Health Centre for the compassionate care they provided in her final years and days.

True to how much she cared about people, art, her community and the planet, Addie generously supported dozens of charities over the years. If you wish, please honour her memory by donating to a human rights or arts organization.

A celebration of Addie’s life will be held at a later date.

Addie's family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

​

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

​