Irene Manuel: the woman from Fonthill

Sometimes the Internet brings an unexpected delight. Since my posting about the Silver Dart weekend in Baddeck, I have made the online acquaintance of Irene Manuel, the exceptional woman from Fonthill, Ontario who sewed the gorgeous wings of the Silver Dart replica.

Irene has been sewing since she was 5 years old, so when asked to be involved -- to sew 13 panels for the wings of the replica -- she was not daunted. In her own words, "I have a real hard time saying no to people... I was just glad to help these guys with their project." Irene had completed 6 of the 13 panels when her problems started.

Irene had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma about 4 years ago. It was low grade and contained, and for 3 years there were no changes. In June 2008, Irene was kicked in the face by one of her horses (a young but not mean horse) while lungeing him. She suffered a fractured cheekbone, a laceration and a broken tooth. When pain started in her back 3 weeks later, she assumed it was associated with her accident, but as the pain accelerated an MRI showed up a lump and a biopsy indicated active lymphoma. Irene was concerned about finishing the project and thought about transferring the work to several other women, but decided to complete the sewing herself, and worked on her "good days" throughout the ensuing months of her chemotherapy.

Here's some of what Irene had to say: "The last panel I worked on in late January was, in fact, the first panel I had sewn. It was the trial panel and initially was found to be too short and I lengthened it. In January, it was sent back for modifications but this time it was to shorten it back to the original length. I wanted to make a whole new panel, but we just ran out of time and energy. Doug had no problem with the panel but I appreciated the fact that he put the panel on the top wing where most people could not see evidence of alterations.

".... I did not take this project on for the glory nor any expectation of recognition for my contribution to the project. I was just happy to see the expressions of satisfaction on the faces of the men who had spent many years on the project. My husband, Bill, and his friend, Martin Bulgin, spent hours fabricating and tig-welding brackets, sleeves and hinges for the plane. Others equally spent hours on the project."

Irene's cancer is in remission. She will undergo a maintenance treatment regime for 2 years. She has some nerve damage caused by the tumours, which will take about 6 months to heal. But as the chemotherapy drugs leave her system she is beginning to feel her strength return and has been out in the stables helping with chores again. She expects to be back in the saddle by May and is cleaning the glue off her sewing machine in anticipation of starting another sewing project. Irene says, "When my family sees me in my sewing room, they know I'm getting back to normal."

In emailing Irene, I also learned that our life-paths have crossed. She lived in Cargill for about 10 years and worked in Goderich -- where my parents live -- and during that time, she worked at Champion Roads. She was the first women hired on the production line where she was a welder/fabricator. Every time I hear from Irene, I am more amazed by her story and by her capabilities! I tip my wing to Irene Manuel, the woman from Fonthill.

Photos: Irene at her sewing machine, and standing with the Silver Dart. I have included a sewing detail of the Silver Dart wing, taken by my friend, Marion Thompson.