Brock University is mourning the death of Carol Penner, the longtime Administrative Co-ordinator in the Department of Child and Youth Studies.

Penner began her career at Brock in 2001 as an Office Assistant. In 2002, she moved to the Department of Child and Youth Studies as an Administrative Assistant before taking on the role of Administrative Co-ordinator, which she held for more than 14 years.

“This is a great loss to our Faculty,” said Ingrid Makus, Dean of Social Sciences. “Carol was the go-to person for so many — generous with her knowledge, time and expertise. She is irreplaceable. She will be deeply missed. Our deepest condolences to her family and friends.”

Penner was a well-known and respected staff member around campus. In 2014, her efforts were acknowledged with the President’s Distinguished Staff Service Award.

Penner will be remembered for both her professional and personal contributions to Brock. She had extensive knowledge of administrative processes and was often an exemplar to many departments throughout the University. Her wealth of knowledge about Brock and its students was always valued by her colleagues. 

“To many people in the department and across Brock, Carol was much more than an Administrative Co-ordinator,” said John McNamara, Professor and Chair of Child and Youth Studies. “Carol loved her job. She loved our department and also Brock in general. She would always go out of her way to support faculty, staff and students in any way that she could. Carol will be truly missed by her friends and colleagues from Brock.” 

In her personal life, Penner was an active member of the St. Catharines United Mennonite Church. She taught Sunday School and Girls Club, sang in the choir and served on committees with the Mennonite Church of Eastern Canada.

Penner’s favourite pastime was spending time her with her 17 nieces and nephews and 10 great-nieces and great-nephews.

The flags in front of Brock’s Schmon Tower will be lowered to half-mast on Wednesday, Feb. 3 to commemorate Penner’s passing.

Memorial donations can be made in Penner’s honour to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

A funeral service for Penner will be livestreamed from the Tallman Funeral Home on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. Information about the livestream can be found on the Tallman Facebook page.