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CHARLOTTE PENNER
Born: Apr 17, 1952
Date of Passing: Dec 31, 2019
Offer Condolences or Memory Make a donation to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation
CHARLOTTE PENNER
1952 - 2019
Charlotte wanted us to share these words:
"Dear Everybody, I am not mentioning every one of you by name, though we all know I am that controlling of a person. If you are reading this, I am gone. I have lived the most privileged of lives full of love and excitement and travel and art. And I have contributed very little in return to the world around me. No doubt relevant facts will follow, provided by those who know me best.
Over the years, you were right, all those people who told me to write. And I was right. It was a self-published effort after all !" Charlotte will be remembered for her fun-loving and creative spirit. As the self-appointed president of the "Have More Fun Club", she enjoyed many different hobbies, including making ice sculptures, cooking, gardening, and creating art. Her enthusiasm for these activities inspired many other people. Charlotte was always in the mood to joke around and have a laugh, and her sense of humour and quick wit were appreciated by those who knew her. Charlotte was the type of person who was not afraid to share her opinions. She took pride in being an avid reader.Charlotte was born on April 17, 1952, in what is now Thunder Bay. Shortly after that, the family moved to Red Rock, Ontario, later settling in Winnipeg when Charlotte was seven. Charlotte attended Angus Mackay Elementary, John Henderson Junior High, and River East Collegiate. Her grade 12 yearbook described her as "a classy chick."
After graduating from high school in 1970, Charlotte attended the University of Manitoba for interior design and architecture.
As a young woman, Charlotte caught the travel bug, vacationing in Mexico on a high school trip and later backpacking through Europe. Stories of these adventures were always told fondly.
Charlotte flexed her creativity while working at the display department at Eaton's for a number of years in the 1970s. She then worked several jobs in costumes and sets in the theatre, both in Stratford, Ontario, and at Manitoba Theatre Centre.
In the 1980s, Charlotte transitioned to working in the Manitoba film industry as a costume designer, where she met her husband, Leon, a production sound mixer. The couple moved to Dorchester Avenue in 1989 and spent considerable time and effort creating a picturesque backyard, including their "Garzebo" (Garage/Gazebo). Their son, Davis, was born in 1996. Their family of three went on many trips and adventures (big and small) and Charlotte made sure to document them all by taking many lovely photos.
Charlotte's family moved from Dorchester Avenue to their house on Middle Gate in 2001. Charlotte again took that project on with gusto, restoring the heritage house to its former charm.
Charlotte was the type of person who made friends wherever she went. She will be missed dearly by those friends (too many to list all by name!) as well as by her family: Leon (husband), Davis (son), Molly (Leon's daughter), Louise (mother), Karen (sister), Colvin (brother-in-law), Kathie (sister), Richard (brother), Esther (sister-in-law), Elise (niece), Brad (nephew), Erika (niece), Dayna (niece), Ramy (nephew), Irene and Helen (aunts), as well as many other family members, (including Johnsons and Ellises).
Charlotte was predeceased by her father, Henry, as well as many of her aunts and uncles.
The family would like to thank all the medical professionals who cared for Charlotte, including the staff at CancerCare, Palliative Care, Riverview Health Centre, and the MAID team.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Mennonite Central Committee, CancerCare Manitoba, or to a charity of your choice.
A memorial service for all those touched by Charlotte's zest for life will be held in the spring, near Charlotte's birthday.
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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 04, 2020
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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Good bye old friend, my touchstone! - Posted by: Brent Mooney (Friend) on: Jan 09, 2020
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Our deepest condolences to Leon, Davis and all of Charlotte's loved ones. I will cherish the many wonderful memories I have of her while we worked together on “Less Than Kind”. Her talent, humour and wit carried many of us through some long days and her generous personality and light will live on in all of those who were lucky enough to know her. - Posted by: Nancy Sorel (Co-worker) on: Jan 08, 2020
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I too am saddened by my cousin Charlotte's passing. Although I hadn't seen much of her in the past few years, we did have a long telephone conversation in October shortly after my visit to Winnipeg. We got all caught up. Even though I had heard that she only had months to live, she never complained or even hinted that her time was limited. She was especially pleased that Davis had bought a home and was striking out on his own. I am certain that her concern for her son kept her going the many years after she was first diagnosed with cancer. As Char and I were the eldest Willms cousins and virtually the same age, we were particularly close during our teen years. I fondly remember many family gatherings during which we would spend time together. She always had a good sense of humour and remained even tempered, a trait she inherited from her father. Although the Willms clan isn't as close as it once was, with many members having moved away from Winnipeg, I am sure I can say on behalf of all of us that dear cousin Charlotte will be missed. - Posted by: John Peters (Cousin) on: Jan 04, 2020
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Charlotte, as President of the Have More Fun Club couldn't be better titled. I admired and now salute her unfailing humour and the sparkle with which she created and shared fun with everyone around her. I toast her gatherings around Wicker and White. Ms. Peacock will be greatly. missed. My condolences to the extended family. - Posted by: Ruth Abernethy (theatre mate/roommate: Stratford, Banff 1985) on: Jan 04, 2020