In this ongoing series, The Citizen profiles locals who strive to make our little corner of Manitoba a better place. Each month, we feature a person, family, or business that helps brighten the world in some way. If you have someone in mind for a future month, please nominate them: jlavin@nivervillecitizen.com.
This month’s Super Citizen is Irene Falk. For more than 30 years, the Niverville Cooperative Playgroup (NCP) has been a fixture in the town and Falk has been its director nearly the entire time.
Falk was nominated by Paige McGory-Holloway, a member of the NCP board.
“Irene is a wonderful lady who has dedicated decades to Niverville’s youngest,” McGory-Holloway says. “Personally, she made my child’s first year of school so memorable by creating such a fun space for children to learn and play. She also made it fun to be a part of the board.”
Dawna Anderson, another member of the board, says that Falk loved all the kids she taught over the years and they all loved her back.
“Irene had a smile on her face every time she opened the door to greet her little students,” Anderson says. “And when she was talking about retirement and not seeing her students each and every day, her eyes filled with tears. Good teachers are so important, especially for little kids who are likely leaving their parents for the first time, so we were extremely blessed to have Irene, who cared so deeply for the kids.”
Rochelle Moffit, Falk’s childcare assistant, has many, many good things to say about her former boss and current friend.
“Working with Irene these past few years has been nothing short of a dream,” says Moffit. “She was supportive and encouraging. She also cared about everyone well beyond the job. She was amazing with the children and taught me a lot. Irene’s faith also shone through daily without saying anything at all. She will continue to be my friend and mentor for years to come.”
Tristan Friesen was a student of Falk’s many years ago. He’s an adult now, but he still remembers Falk and the way she cared for all her students.
“[Mrs. Falk] was awesome as my preschool teacher,” adds Friesen. “Both her and [her husband] John are pillars of the community for sure.”
The kids at NCP just loved Mrs. Falk. McGory-Holloway recalls that one of Mrs. Falk’s students, George Krahn, age four, always called his teacher “Mama Falk.”
“She was like a second mother to many children,” McGory-Holloway says.
“She is a fun teacher and I loved playing and singing songs with Mrs. Falk,” says four-year-old Dakota Holloway, “even though I always called her Mrs. Moffit all year by mistake.”
Falk’s son, popular comedian Matt Falk, says that he was always struck by two things when he talked to his mom about her work.
“The first is how much creativity and hard work went into making sure the kids were learning and having fun in new and engaging ways,” Matt says. “And the second is how much she genuinely loved the time she spent with the kids. They made all that hard work worth it.”
For her part, Falk says, “I’ve had the privilege and pleasure to be the director for Niverville Cooperative Playgroup for 30 and a half years. The preschool is a vital part of our community and my wish is for continued success for the new director. Working with preschool children has brought me so much joy. I will truly miss the children.”
Falk is looking forward to spending quality time with her grandkids and her family. The NCP will continue without her—but it will not be the same.
