Lori Penner is being remembered as an amazing person who cared deeply about community, and for people and family.
Among many things, Penner was a well-known columnist and reporter for community newspapers, first in the Altona area then branching out and sharing her stories with publications across Manitoba, dedicating her talents and passion to telling peoples' stories. She passed away Wednesday night after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke on Sunday afternoon. She was 59 years old.
"It's devastating," said Greg Vandermeulen is a longtime colleague of Penner's. "She showed nothing but love and, hearing that she's now gone, it's definitely going to leave a gaping hole in the community but also amongst other journalists here in Manitoba who are aware and know of her talents."
Penner started out writing the popular weekly column, Don't Mind the Mess, for the Red River Valley Echo, offering readers a glimpse into who she was.
"That was a gift," added Vandermeulen.
'There was always empathy there when she dealt with people.'
Then in the mid-2000s, Vandermeulen, who was editor of the publication at the time, hired Penner as a local reporter.
He says Penner was never afraid to get emotionally involved in a story.
"She cared about the people she interviewed. It went hand-in-hand with caring about the community. She knew that what she was doing was something good - she was sharing local stories for good reasons," explained Vandermeulen. "There was always empathy there when she dealt with people."
"It can make it a little riskier, a little harder, as a journalist to become invested because it becomes a part of yourself that you're sharing," he added. "But Lori was never scared to share that part of herself."
Overall, Vandermeulen believes Penner's work helped put Altona on the map, opening it up to more people and allowing them to see what kind of community it is.
Now, Penner's family is reaching out to that community seeking support as they grapple with this sudden loss. A gofundme page has been started to help cover funeral costs.