Penny Louise Chipman

April 9, 1949 - February 18, 2024

In loving memory ~

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Penny Louise Chipman, age 74, of Pyper Lake, BC. She passed away at home with her husband, Blake, by her side after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Penny was born in Nanaimo, BC as the oldest daughter to Ted and Bev Lane. She went to high school in Port Alberni and it was there that she met Blake at a midnight dance at Cherry Creek. She moved to the Chilcotin bush right out of the city and never complained, & she was a tough as nails dynamo. She was very quiet but hard working and always looked at things in the most positive way and was well liked by everybody.

Penny was the postmistress at the Chilanko Forks Canada Post Office for many years and created a gathering place for the community there. In 1995, The Chilanko Forks general store and post office was lost in a terrible fire. For most small towns, this would mean the end of mail service for weeks and even months, but not in Chilanko Forks, thanks to the bravery and ingenuity of postmistress Penny Chipman. Penny entered the burning building four times to retrieve essential items at the post office desk. Then after the fire she went home and set up a new post office in her own travel trailer. The next day the mail went out from the makeshift post office without missing a beat, a letter, or a parcel. For Penny's bravery and ingenuity, she was flown to Ottawa & was awarded the prestigious Golden Postmark Award given to postal employees who make outstanding contributions to Canada Post or their communities.

Penny will always be remembered by her love to her family & friends, & her love of gardening and baking, especially cupcakes and cookies for her grandchildren.

Penny is survived by her husband of 55 years, James "Blake" Chipman, her oldest son Gord (Georgina) and their children Steve, Katie and Matthew, her younger son, Jim and his children Justin, Jared and Lucas, granddaughters Taylor Telford, and Megan (Kaleb) Carpenter and great-granddaughters Karsyn and Madelyn Carpenter, as well as foster daughter Samantha Sulin. She also leaves behind her sisters Cheryl (Art) Fransen & Alice Lane, brothers Jim Lane & Robin Lane, and sister-in-law Darlene Lane, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Penny is predeceased by her daughter Michelle (Chipman) Telford, and her parents, Ted and Bev Lane.

A special thank you to the staff at the West Chilcotin Health Centre for their continuous care, as well as family and friends for all of their extra help.

A non-officiated Celebration of Life will be held for Penny on: Saturday June 22nd, 2024 from 2-4 pm at the Alexis Creek Community Hall. The family of Penny invites you to come and join them in sharing stories of Penny's life, with light refreshments to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Canadian Cancer Society in memory of Penny Chipman.