Patricia Helen Penner

Devoted wife of David Semczyszyn, mother of Maxine, Joel and Micah, grandmother of Felix. Sister to Marlene, Lois, Delores, Jackie, Garry. Predeceased by her parents Peter and Helen Penner.

Patricia was born in Chilliwack BC. She attended, Rosedale Junior Secondary, Chilliwack Senior Secondary, Mennonite Educational Institute, Peace River Bible Institute. She graduated with a Deans Medal and an Honours Bachelor of Social Work, from Lakehead University in 1983. She completed her MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2006.

After graduating from PRBI she took a position at the Bank of Montreal in Yellowknife, the city where she met the love of her life, her husband David. She spent 17 years in Canada’s North living in Yellowknife and Inuvik before moving back to the Lower Mainland, via a short stint in Tumbler Ridge, BC, where, as a young mother, she obtained her Lifeguard Certification and worked at the local Recreational Centre helping make ends meet by taking the evening and weekend shifts.

Patricia served on the Board of Directors for, More Than a Roof, The Canadian Mental Health Association, and Chor Leoni. Having a lifelong passion for singing, she sang and directed in many choirs. A high point was playing Buttercup and directing Gilbert and Sullivans musical HMS Pinafore, to much acclaim, in Inuvik, NWT.

Patricia was passionate about Seniors. She found her true calling in a career serving them, beginning with Augustine House Ladner in Marketing, after a short break pursuing her MBA, she obtained General Manager positions at; Churchill House North Vancouver, Langley Gardens Langley, Courtyard Gardens Richmond and most recently Tapestry Wesbrook Village UBC. The dress code at all her sites was business, which suited her fine, as an excuse to develop a penchant for John Fluvog shoes (she even has a pair of the Dr. Bonnie Henry COVID-19 collector’s edition!). She received recognition of exemplary leadership by her employer for her contributions during the most challenging time for Seniors Facilities – the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Recently when asked by her son Joel about what brought her the most joy in her life, she answered “Her Three Children”.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the BC Cancer Foundation.