Longtime Louis Riel trustee mourned
The Louis Riel School Division is mourning the loss of a longtime teacher-turned-trustee who was known for her kindhearted nature and “feisty streak.”
Darlene Gerrior, vice-chair of the division’s board of trustees, died at St. Boniface Hospital on Saturday. Gerrior was on medical leave owing to her inability to attend board meetings since February.
Following a lengthy career in the education sector, which included stints as a classroom teacher and student services co-ordinator, Gerrior ran a successful campaign to represent families in Ward 3 in 2022.
The sudden vacancy raises questions about whether the nine-seat board will have to announce a second byelection in less than a year.
“She was warm, generous and kind, but her most notable quality was her willingness to learn and grow as a trustee,” said Chris Sigurdson, a Ward 2 trustee and chairman of the board.
Sigurdson noted that his colleague, who he said quickly became a close friend, moved into a leadership role shortly after being elected to public office.
He described her leadership style as open and collaborative while noting she had a “feisty streak” that came out during private dealings where she preferred to settle any differences.
Manitoba’s teacher registry shows Gerrior obtained a teaching certificate in 1983. Most recently, she was an active community volunteer and counselling practicum supervisor at the University of Winnipeg faculty of education.
Education Minister Tracy Schmidt shared her condolences in a public statement Tuesday.
“She served in countless roles — from teacher to counsellor to leader — always with a commitment to inclusive, high-quality education. Her legacy of service, compassion, and community leadership will not be forgotten,” Schmidt said.
School division administration penned a letter to community members on Monday night to update them.
Clinicial teams are being made available to students and staff who are processing the news, per the memo.
Manitoba legislation requires school boards to call a byelection to fill a seat if there is more than a year of their term left when it is declared vacant.
St. Vital trustees are expected to discuss the issue at their meeting tonight.
The City of Winnipeg and LRSD held a byelection on June 6 to replace a member who resigned in late 2023 after being penalized for her controversial social media activity.
Maggie Macintosh
Education reporter
Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie.
Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative.
Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
