Obituary of Lorena Mary McManus

Lorena Mary McManus passed away peacefully at Riverview Health Centre on May 27, 2021 in the company of her brother Bruce McManus and sister Rhea Milanese. Thank you to the Palliative Care and MAID Teams. She approached her death with resolution and good humour, offering support to everyone who participated. She is survived by her siblings Bruce (Maureen), Rhea (Paul), Terry; beloved nieces Mala and Elyse, Brie (Zach) and Karla (Dieter); Brie and Karla’s mother Kathy St. George; grand-nieces Madeline and Oonagh; and grand-nephew Finley. Her nieces and nephews and their children brought her great joy. Mourning her are many aunts, uncles and cousins with whom she maintained an affectionate relationship. She was predeceased by her mother and father Eileen and John McManus; and her partner Terry Van Norman who she loved completely. The Van Norman family embraced her as a member of the family and were important in her life. Lorena was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and moved to Winnipeg with her family as a child. She graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing Degree from the University of Manitoba in 1984. She went on to have a distinguished career in health care. She worked at Health Sciences Centre, then the VON (Victorian Order of Nurses) as a community nurse and subsequently in management roles at VON and in the Winnipeg Community Authority prior to becoming Program Director of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Palliative Care Program in 1999. Lorena earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Winnipeg/University of Manitoba while working full time as Director of the WRHA Palliative Care Program. She was Program Director at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) and Director of Centralized Operations for Home Care in the same organization before ill health precipitated her retirement. Lorena’s knowledge and compassion have been recognized provincially and nationally by palliative care administrators and policy makers, and also by nursing colleagues when she was awarded the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba Award for Excellence in Nursing Administration in 2004. Lorena was a strong problem-solver and willing to take on difficult challenges to see them through. Her colleagues admired her vision, her work ethic, and also her independence in spite of declining health. She had many caring and supportive friends and she thanked them in her last conversations. Her niece spoke for all of us saying, “Lorena was one of the most loving, compassionate, capable, and strong people I've ever known.” We will remember her. We will borrow courage from that memory. A memorial service is planned for the future. In lieu of flowers please contribute to a children’s charity of your choice.