Penny Reeves was a respectful and dedicated public servant who took her responsibilities to St. Albert very seriously, former council colleagues say.
The former city councillor died May 22, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. On top of many other volunteer and professional contributions to the city and the province, Reeves served as a city councillor for three terms from 1992 to 2001.
Former mayor Anita Ratchinsky said Reeves was always respectful, honest, up-front and served the city with integrity.
“My recollection is Penny was always on the side of St. Albert and what was good for the city,” she said. “The issues that she took up were those that came to her from her constituents. She was true to St. Albert, she was true to herself, and she was true to the people.”
Outside of council chambers, Reeves was involved in countless community initiatives, always ready to lend a hand to make the community a better place.
“She was out there volunteering and supportive of just about everything going,” Ratchinsky said. “She was a great lady, and there just aren’t enough adjectives to talk about her.”
Former councillor Margaret Plain, who served alongside Reeves for three council terms, echoed these sentiments. She remembers Reeves as respectful and well respected in turn, and as a hard-working and dedicated public servant.
“She was very dedicated to her position. She took the time necessary to be a good council member,” she said.
She said Reeves’ dedication to the community and to her own family prior to entering public life is indicative of the kind of character she had, and what she brought to bear in her service to the city.
“If you’re engaged in the community, as she was, before you go to council, to me it speaks to character,” Plain said. “But it also speaks to having the necessary background experience and engagement within the community.”
Carol Watamaniuk served alongside Reeves for all three terms, and remembers her as being conscientious and fiscally responsible, saying the city has suffered a significant loss.
“I really appreciate how respectful she was of council ethics and council process,” she said. “Just a real respect for other council members and their views.”
“Penny” Gloria Joan Reeves (nee Pezer) was born in a Saskatchewan farmhouse, on Nov. 28, 1943, and was given the nickname by nurses in at the Kinistino hospital because of her bright colour. She graduated from high school in Meskanaw, Sask., and later from post-secondary in Saskatoon.
She married her husband Bob in 1967, and lived in Winnipeg, Vancouver and Edmonton before settling in St. Albert in 1973 to raise their two children.
Reeves served as a school trustee, established an office services company, which she later sold, was involved with the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce, the local Progressive Conservative constituency board, and the University of Alberta board of governors. She spent a decade and a half as a director of the St. Albert Merchants hockey club. She served on the Servus Credit Union board of directors, which lead to similar positions at the national and international level.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 2, in the reception hall at Connelly-McKinley on Muir Drive in St. Albert.