Archpriest Daniel and Preoteasa Alice Nenson

Archpriest Daniel Nenson (1933-2016)

and

Preoteasa Alice Nenson (born Lipan) (1941-2016)

Preoteasa (wife of a priest) may be expressed as presbytera, papadia, khouria, matushka, dobrodijka.

Early life of Daniel Nenson

On 14 May, 1933, Daniel Nenson was born on a farm near Wheatstone, Saskatchewan, Canada. His parents were Bucur and Maria Nenson. Born into a Romanian Orthodox Christian family, he was raised as an Orthodox Christian within the Romanian Orthodox Church in North America.

Wheatstone is located about 76 mi southeast of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and 5.5 mi southeast of Kayville, Saskatchewan, in the midst of a large Romanian settlement in southern Saskatchewan.

Daniel grew up with 11 siblings. After living on the family farm for a few years after his birth, the family moved away to Timmins, Ontario. This was during the Great Depression years. Daniel's 4 older brothers were conscripted into the Royal Canadian Army in 1939, at the beginning of World War II.

When the family returned to Saskatchewan, they settled on an acreage just outside Regina, Saskatchewan. Daniel worked very hard on this small portion of land as he bore his share of responsibility in the family. He was up at 5:00 a.m. to feed and water the animals and to do chores ; he went to school ; he took a part-time job herding cattle for 3 hours every evening, from which he earned 75 cents and ½ gallon of milk daily.

Daniel graduated from the Balfour Technical Collegiate High School.

Higher education

Daniel entered and completed 4 years of studies at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

After graduation, he began to develop a career in the financial services area, first with Pemberton Securities in Penticton, British Columbia, and finally as a senior manager with Laurentian Financial Services in Regina. His career spanned more than 40 years.

During his years of living near Regina, along with his family, he attended Saint Nicholas Romanian Orthodox Church in Regina.

Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, Regina

While he was attending the parish of Saint Nicholas, he met Alice Lipan. In due time, they decided to marry.

Marriage, 1960

On 30 July, 1960, Daniel Nenson and Alice Lipan were crowned in marriage in Saint Nicholas Romanian Orthodox Church in Regina.

During the course of their marriage, they received from the Lord 6 children : Timothy Daniel, Douglas Michael, Garrett Christopher, Lisa Marie, Brian Matthew and Patricia Vera-Anne. Later, the family came to include 9 grandchildren : Stephen, Gabrielle, Erin, Adam, Zachary, Jessica, Jacob, Lena and Mackenzie.

Early life of Alice Lipan

On 21 July, 1941, at Limerick, Saskatchewan, Canada, Alice Lipan was born to pioneers Nick and Vera Lipan. Alice was raised in the Orthodox Christian Faith in her Orthodox Christian family, in the bosom of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Canada. Alice was the youngest of 4 sisters.

Limerick is situated southwest of Regina, Saskatchewan, and west of Assiniboia, Saskatchewan.

When she came to live in Regina, Alice furthered her education. In addition to her substantial responsibilities as wife, mother, and wife of a priest, she worked outside the home as well. Although all her work was not only in Regina (because of living in other places), Alice spent 50 years working in various capacities, such as as a high school secretary, as a court stenographer, and as a legal assistant. In the 1980s, she joined the newsroom staff at the “Regina Leader-Post” newspaper, and she compiled and wrote about events for the “Lifestyles” section.

Prior to her retirement at the age of 70 (2011), she worked for “Hansard”, the official recorder of the debates and proceedings of the Saskatchewan provincial legislature.

Move to British Columbia

Daniel and his family moved to Pemberton, British Columbia, where he worked for 7 years.

Then Archimandrite Martinian (Ivanovici) (who began to serve at Saint George's Romanian Orthodox Cathedral in Regina since 1967, contacted him soon thereafter, and informed him that more bilingual (Romanian/English-speaking) priests were needed in the Romanian Orthodox Church in Canada. He asked that Daniel return to Regina and study under his tutelage.

Thus, Daniel began and completed the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate Late Vocations courses.

Diaconal ordination, 1970

On 19 September, 1970, Daniel Nenson was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Archbishop Valerian (Trifa) in Saint George's Romanian Orthodox Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Diaconal service

Deacon Daniel Nenson served as a deacon in Saint George's Church in Regina for several months.

Presbyteral ordination

In 1971, Deacon Daniel Nenson was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Archbishop Valerian (Trifa).

Pastoral service

Priest Daniel Nenson was the first Canadian-born and Romanian-speaking priest in Canada.

All the while, Father Daniel continued to work in the field of financial planning services on a full-time basis.

In 1971, Priest Daniel Nenson was assigned to serve the Descent of the Holy Spirit Church in Assiniboia, and also the parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Flintoft. At the same time, he served as a visiting priest for the parish of Saint Elijah in Lennard, Manitoba, and for communities in the Shell Valley region of Manitoba, at Holy Trinity Church at MacNutt, Saskatchewan, and at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Canora, Saskatchewan. In addition, he travelled to Vancouver (New Westminster), British Columbia, in order to care for Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church there.

On 9 September, 1973, Priest Daniel was assigned to serve at Nativity of the Theotokos (Saint Mary's Church) in Calgary, Alberta.

Saint George's Cathedral, Regina

While he was serving at Saint George's, on 23 April, 1984, he was given a leave-of-absence because of his health.

In 1987, Father Daniel was assigned to serve at Saint Georges Romanian Orthodox Church in Dysart, Saskatchewan.

In November, 1998, Father Daniel was assigned by Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) to serve also as Dean of the Canadian Deanery of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America. He continued to serve in that capacity until 2006.

During these years, Priest Daniel Nenson was elevated to the dignity of archpriest.

In 2006, Archpriest Daniel Nenson retired from active service. He and Preoteasa Alice participated from then on at Saint George's Cathedral in Regina.

Saint George's Cathedral

Other activities

During the course of a strenuous working career and raising children, Father Daniel found time to become involved in the general community. He and Preoteasa Alice were the founding members of the Kidney Foundation Chapter in Regina. He also volunteered with the Canadian Diabetes Association, the CNIB, the Romanian Pavilion at "Mosaic", and the Romanian food booth at the Queen City Exhibition.

He was heavily involved in church activities, most notably the Deanery Centre at Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan. He and some parishioners acquired and moved a disused church to the Deanery Centre, where it served as a focus of worship at gatherings. For a time, this Centre served as a hermitage for Nun Cassiana (Petrow). Under his leadership, the site was renovated so that children could enjoy their time at summer camps. He also served as chaplain to the summer camps.

During his years of participation in parish life in Regina, Father Daniel became the founding president of the Romanian Episcopate Regina Orthodox Youth organisation (REROY), which under his leadership grew to over 30 members, and raised funds for various church projects.

During the many years of Father Daniel's pastoral service, Preoteasa Alice served faithfully together with him, and she participated fully in the life of each parish. This was particularly the case in Saint George's Cathedral in Regina. There, she was an active member of the Saint George Romanian Orthodox Ladies’ Auxiliary. In addition, she spent many summers as a cook, counsellor and care-giver at Saint Nicholas Camp, Fort Qu’Appelle, where the campers looked forward to gathering around the table for one of her meals. Hospitality was a gift she shared not only with campers, but with everyone who entered the Nenson home. Preoteasa Alice compiled a recipe book entitled “Nenson Family Favourites”, which reflected her love of the culinary arts and her Romanian-Canadian heritage.

Holy Protection Temple at Saint Nicholas Camp, Fort Qu'Appelle

Camp Saint Nicholas

Repose of Archpriest Daniel Nenson, 2016

On 23 February, 2016, Archpriest Daniel Nenson fell asleep in the Lord in Regina, Saskatchewan. He had suffered for a short time from cancer.

On Sunday, 28 February, 2016, at 7:00 p.m., at Saint George's Romanian Orthodox Cathedral (2005. Edgar Street, Regina), a memorial service (panikhida) was served for the newly-departed Archpriest Daniel Nenson.

On Monday, 29 February, 2016, at 10:00 a.m., at Saint George's Romanian Orthodox Cathedral in Regina, the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Presbyter was served.

Following the service, luncheon repast was served at the Regina Senior Citizen's Centre of Regina (2134 Winnipeg Street, Regina).

His remains were interred at the Regina Cemetery.

Father Daniel Nenson was survived by his wife, Preoteasa Alice ; 2 sisters, Virginia Murray (Bill) and Helen ; his brother Alex and his sister-in-law Lynn ; his children ; and by several nieces and nephews.

Repose of Preoteasa Alice Nenson, 2016

During her life, Preoteasa Alice had endured Crohn’s Disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. The saying, “being deeply loved by someone gives you strength ; loving someone deeply gives you courage” aptly describes her in life and in her repose.

On Friday, 9 December, 2016, Preoteasa Alice Nenson fell asleep in the Lord at the Regina Wascana Grace Hospice.

On Thursday, 15 December, 2016, at 7:00 p.m., a memorial service (panikhida) was served at Saint George Romanian Orthodox Cathedral (2005 Edgar Street), Regina.

On Friday, 16 December, 2016, at 12:30 p.m., the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Lay-person was served at Saint George Romanian Orthodox Cathedral.

Her remains were interred at the Regina Cemetery.

In addition to Father Daniel, who fell asleep in the Lord in February, 2016, Preoteasa Alice was predeceased by 2 sisters. She was survived by her children Timothy, Douglas, Garrett (Susan), Lisa (Greg), Brian, and Patricia (Paul) ; by 9 grandchildren ; and by her oldest sister.

Reflections

References

Bugea, Eleanor, “Romanians in Canada” (Michigan : Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, 2009), pp. 19-22, 69, 115, 116. ISBN : 978-1-929200-14-6.

Patterson, G James, “The Romanians of Saskatchewan : Four Generations of Adaptation (Ottawa : National Museums of Canada, 1977). ISBN : 9781772823318.

Sandulescu, Archpriest George, ‘Saskatchewan's Romanian Orthodox Communities Including Dysart, Wood Mountain, Kayville, Assiniboia, Pierceland, Regina’ in "SGS (Saskatchewan Genealogical Society) Bulletin”, vol. 19, no. 1 (1988), p. 81.

Tarasar, Constance J, ed.,”Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America” (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.

“Regina Leader-Post” obituary for Archpriest Daniel Nenson

“Regina Leader-Post” obituary for Preoteasa Alice Nenson

Additional information :

Saint George Romanian Orthodox Cathedral, Regina, Saskatchewan

Saint Nicholas Romanian Orthodox Church, Regina, Saskatchewan

Romanian Orthodox Deanery Centre at Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan

Romanian Orthodox Episcopate Vicariate of Canada web-site

Romanian Orthodox West Deanery of Canada

Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (OCA) web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (OCA)

The Orthodox Church in America web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America