Austin woman recognized by Man. Council on Aging

Posted By Shayne Dahl, Special to the Herald-Leader

Updated 15 days ago

Loreen Amann of Austin has been presented with this year's Manitoba Council on Aging Recognition Award.

"I didn't know anything about it!" recalled Amann about finding out she was one of eight Manitobas to win the award.

Comparing this provincial honour to other life accomplishments, Amann said it "ranked pretty close to my 80th birthday," which was celebrated with family in September 2008.

Amann admits during the presentation of the award, she was "too emotional" to say her speech because it was such an honour.

"When you get older," she says, "life means more."

Among her many titles, Amann is a retired postmaster in Austin; the former chairwoman of the Austin Leisure Club; secretary treasurer of the Katrime Cemetery committee; a volunteer at the Manitoba Agricultural Museum in Austin and a co-ordinator of the Manitoba Seniors Games.

She is also a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and, as of 2004, has joined her husband, Fred Amann, as a licensed motorcyclist. The latter, she says, "keeps me young!"

Amann has spent a lifetime in full service to her community. Next to the significance of family, she says, is helping the community because "it's very rewarding."

The award was presented by Manitoba Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross, and by Jean-Yves Rochon, chairman of the Manitoba Council on Aging, in the Manitoba Legistative Building on Oct. 27.

"These award winners know there is no greater calling than to serve Manitobans," said Irvin-Ross, "and there is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well. I am honoured to provide well-earned recognition to those who have made Manitoba a more age-friendly province."

October was designated as Seniors and Elders Month in Manitoba, with a focus on healthy aging, and the value of the senior demographic.

"This is a wonderful celebration of seniors and their contribution to the well-being of communities throughout Manitoba." Rochon said during the presentation of the awards.

The Seniors and Healthy Aging Secretariat describes the award as one given to "individuals of any age who have made extraordinary contributions to seniors," and to "seniors who have made extraordinary contributions to the community."

To be eligible for the award, a person must be nominated with two letters of reference. Amann was nominated by her daughter Catherine.

"She's been so active in the community all of her life, and she's so young at heart," said Catherine about why she nominated her mother in secret.

As a parting word of wisdom, the elder Amann offers this: "Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once."

Turtle Mountain MLA Cliff Cullen also attended the ceremony to congratulate his constituent.

"These prestigious awards recognize individuals that are working to enhance the lives of older Manitobans and enrich the community as a whole," he said.

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