I had the pleasure of working with Lori for years at Big Rock School in her kindergarten class. I was the educational assistant and Mrs. Chibry was the mother-to-all-children who passed through her classrooms throughout her years there. Things I cherished about Mrs. Chibry: She taught me to love all the kids, especially the difficult ones who needed it the most. At carpet time in the morning she made space for each kid to talk, usually with a child-in-need-of-love tucked under her arm, a different kid each day. When the kids were bouncing off the kindergarten walls and Mrs. Chibry and I were ready to pull our hair out, then she'd pass out baskets of crayons and colouring sheets and we'd all sit down together at the kids' tables in their tiny chairs, and we'd colour and talk until the kids and both of us were calmer. If a parent was having a particularly bad day, Mrs. Chibry would offer to help in whatever way they needed. Childcare, a ride, an ear, a small 'gift' for those in need, an extra snack for a kid with none, a spare coat or gloves, a sturdy shoulder to lean on, a heart big enough to encompass every child and their families. Even before I started working with Lori, I knew who she was because she stood outside the kindergarten doors each morning welcoming the kids and their parents. She'd wave to the rest of us parents dropping our older kids off at school. Everyone knew and loved Mrs. Chibry, and if you had a kindergarten-age kid, Mrs. Chibry was often your first choice for teacher. She read and painted and played and hugged and did crafts for every occasion (no small feat with a class full of kids who all needed help!). She welcomed helper parents into her classroom along with siblings and babies and the odd pup that a child wanted to share. Her small kindergarten world extended far beyond her classroom. Kids she'd taught came back to see her with their kids and if she was spotted in the wilds, parents and kids alike went out of their way to say hi to Mrs. C. She impacted so many lives, my own included. I'm so sad to lose Lori, but so grateful I got to work and laugh and cry and pull my hair out with Mrs. Chibry over those wonderful years at Big Rock. Our relationship extended afterwards with the book club she belonged to, and seeing and chatting on the phone and social media, and hugging Mrs. Chibry whenever we saw each other in person in the community. I loved her with all my heart because she taught me that love was the only thing that mattered. She walked her talk every day with every child and I am a better person for knowing Lori Chibry. Much love to her boys and family. Your mother will be dearly missed. xo
