Obituary of Penelope Mwanje
For those unable to attend the famiy invites you to watch the Mass of Christian Burial for Penny on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. (CDT). Please CLICK HERE
Penelope Mwanje (née Jackson) was born on January 15, 1946, in Antigua, a Caribbean island known for its 365 beaches and warm tropical climate. She was the second oldest of seven children and grew up helping to care for her younger siblings while her mother, Evelyn, worked as a housekeeper and cook, and her stepfather, Cyril, worked as a cobbler.
Penelope attended Holy Family Primary School and, after graduating, worked alongside her mother for the Ferraras, taking on responsibilities such as washing, ironing, mending clothes, and cooking. In the mid‑1960s, she immigrated to Calgary, AB through a domestic worker program and spent several years employed by a family.
Determined to broaden her opportunities, Penelope completed a secretarial skills program with hopes of becoming a secretary. However, as a Black woman in that era, she faced significant barriers of racism and discrimination that limited her career prospects. Despite these challenges, her resolve never wavered. She found work as a health care aide in a nursing home and, after several years, earned her surgical technician certification. Penelope went on to work in the Orthopedic Surgery department at Foothills Hospital, where her precision, dedication, and strong work ethic earned her deep respect. Surgeons were always pleased to have her assisting in their operating rooms.
Throughout her career, Penelope expanded her expertise by working in various surgical departments such as Labour and Delivery and Central Supply. She retired at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy of professionalism, compassion, and excellence.
Penelope’s devotion extended far beyond her work. Her unwavering Catholic faith was central to her life. She sang in the choir, served as a member of the Legion of Mary and Couples for Christ Handmaids of the Lord, volunteered with St. Vincent de Paul, helped clean the church, and participated in community musical productions and the Antiguan Association. Her creativity and curiosity also led her to act in a theatre production of The Little Foxes.
Her cooking was legendary—if she had opened a restaurant, the line would have wrapped around the block. Family, friends, and visitors always returned for seconds, delighted by her impeccable meals and the love she stirred into them.
She enjoyed many hobbies, including crochet, tatting, needlepoint, learning to play the guitar, and nurturing a thriving garden, a testament to her remarkable green thumb.
She dedicated her life to supporting her daughter, granddaughter and her siblings, never wavering in her desire to help however she could. Her generosity of spirit and steadfast love will be remembered with deep gratitude. Helping others wasn’t just something she did — it was who she was.
In 2020, Penelope was diagnosed with dementia. Over the next six years, even as the disease progressed, her gentle spirit remained unchanged. She never stopped smiling, was always willing to help with any task, and continued to offer comfort and companionship to those around her. Her laughter filled every room she entered, and her joy in the company of friends never faded.
On June 26, 2026, Penelope passed away peacefully at the age of 80. Her strength, resilience, and kindness live on in the memories of her loved ones: her daughter Carolyn, her granddaughter Penelope, her brothers Francis, Philip, and Robert, her spouse Haniel, and new and old friends made over the years.
She is now reunited with her sisters Agnes, Anna, and Josephine, her mother Evelyn, and her stepfather Cyril.
Penelope’s life was one of faith, perseverance, service, and love. Her legacy continues in every life she touched.
A time of visitation will be held at Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th Street, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church, 327 4th Street, Brandon, on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation being held at 10:30 a.m.
“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 12:2 RSV Second Catholic Edition
