Promoted to Glory
I just found out that Autumn Joy, a good friend from the days of the community, was in a motorcycle accident yesterday at 2 in the morning, up in B.C. She has gone towards the glory of our Lord, and shall no longer know any want, nor pain. The family and her daughter, Djambe, found out while they were waiting for her for the Mother's Day Lunch. 
Paul and Lydia, Autumn's parents, will be raising Djambe. Visitation will be Friday at Emmanual Mennonite Church in Abbotsford, B.C., from 7-8, and the funeral will be from 11-2 on Saturday at Maclure Road Mennonite Cemetery and Emmanual Mennonite Church.
Paul and Lydia, Autumn's parents, will be raising Djambe. Visitation will be Friday at Emmanual Mennonite Church in Abbotsford, B.C., from 7-8, and the funeral will be from 11-2 on Saturday at Maclure Road Mennonite Cemetery and Emmanual Mennonite Church.I last saw her this past New Year's Day, when I visited her family in Canada. Some of my first memories are of playing with Autumn in the basement of our communal house, where her family lived. I was in 2nd grade at the time; she was three years old. She was part of the large group of children who we were involved with and played with regularly, and we saw everyone as true brothers and sisters. We focused on games like Superfreinds, or Animal Days (where you pretend to be different animals, in different habitats or combinations), and any chance to dress up or be in pageants, especially Halloween, pictured above. (All pics have hover text to identify Autumn.) 
As she grew up Autumn had some difficult times, but passed through them, doing more than surviving, but overcoming. She became a diligent and widely respected Social Services worker in the BC government, nearly completing her Masters, and working in the same office as her father. She was a strong woman, committed and compassionate, who knew who she was and didn't shirk at pushing forward towards justice and righteousness. The world is now a lesser place.
As she grew up Autumn had some difficult times, but passed through them, doing more than surviving, but overcoming. She became a diligent and widely respected Social Services worker in the BC government, nearly completing her Masters, and working in the same office as her father. She was a strong woman, committed and compassionate, who knew who she was and didn't shirk at pushing forward towards justice and righteousness. The world is now a lesser place.
There will be no sorrow over there,
There will be no crying over there,
There will be no fighting,
So there will be no dying,
Over there.
There will be no crying over there,
There will be no fighting,
So there will be no dying,
Over there.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for contributions to Djambe's trust fund, in honor of the great dedication that Autumn had for her daughter. Contributions can be made at:
Envision Credit Union
Abbotsford Village Branch
Account number 6744726
2090 Sumas Way
Abbotsford, BC V2S 2C7
Canada
604-557-7480
Fax: 604-557-7481
Comments
I am trying to pick you out in the photo above, to no luck.
I'm the pig in the top photo, and the blond third head up from the bottom on the right of the 2nd photo.
So, I can't tell one animal from another in the photo. ARe you the boy in the beige vest behind and to the right of the girl in the white dress? (one of hte older kids, then...)? The ears look vaguely porcine...
Good call, quaintance. I was guessing that one as abdul muhib, too...except I had lagomorphaeic ears (sp.?) on my mind...
I will truly miss Autumn Joy's contagious smile. Her kindness and compassion is second to none and she was an absolute delight to be around.
Our Christmases will never be the same now without her and my hearts go out to Dylan, Bernadette, Paul, Lydia, Djambe, Lena, Ron and the rest of the Jenkinson and Pankratz family.
This past year has been especially tough on their family as they lost their patriach in their grandfather Henry Pankratz early last year and now Autumn Joy.
Thank you for sharing your trip to the memorial and your tribute is very heart warming.
Ken