Ottawa, Ontario — April 5, 2005

With deep sadness, Ringette Canada and the entire ringette community are mourning the loss of the sport's international ambassador, Agnes Jacks C.M. Mrs. Jacks passed away at the North Bay General Hospital Scollard Site on Friday (April 1). She was 81.

A Member of the Order of Canada, Agnes Jacks was the widow of Sam Jacks, who invented the sport of ringette in 1963 in North Bay, Ontario. After Mr. Jacks' passing in 1975, Mrs. Jacks worked passionately to promote the sport both within Canada and around the world. Over the years, she faithfully attended numerous ringette tournaments and championship events and was instrumental in providing players, coaches, officials and administrators with much admired enthusiasm and congratulations.

Only three short weeks ago, Mrs. Jacks attended the Ontario provincial AA championships in Ottawa, where the familiar sight of athletes flocking to her side for autographs and words of encouragement was witnessed repeatedly throughout the weekend. 'It was an honour and a privilege to know this wonderful lady who devoted such a large part of her life to supporting and encouraging her ringette family. It was especially heartwarming to see the interaction between the athletes and Agnes and the tremendous respect they had for her,' said Joanne Dearden, president of Ringette Canada. 'The entire ringette community is very appreciative of the role Agnes played in our sport and she truly was an inspiration to each and every one of us. She certainly is irreplaceable and we will all feel the void left by her passing.'

Mrs. Jacks' devotion to the sport was returned in kind through the endless respect and admiration that ringette athletes around the world had for her. 'At every opportunity, Agnes told us that we were "...all her girls' and we knew she truly meant that. Every ringette athlete, coach, referee, parent, volunteer and fan, truly was like family to her and if you were in that family, you felt Agnes' love and support,' said Laura Warner, Team Canada captain. 'When she told us to 'stay out of the penalty box' we honestly felt a touch more inspired to play ringette in the true spirit of the game. Agnes knew that ringette was a unique sport that offered something invaluable to women. It is a game of unparalleled speed, finesse, and perhaps most importantly, passion. Agnes understood that and did more than anyone I've ever met to further infect us all with the love of the game.'

Warner went on to note that Mrs. Jacks will be dearly missed and never replaced, but she will always be remembered. 'Those of us who were lucky enough to meet Agnes and be touched by her wonderful soul will now take on the responsibility of ensuring that her message and her spirit are carried on in the way they deserve to be,' added Warner.

To honor and celebrate the life of Mrs. Jacks, Ringette Canada has established an online form where thoughts and memories are being compiled. Ringette Canada will also be conducting a memorial tribute at the 2005 Canadian ringette championships being held in Winnipeg, Manitoba from April 11-16.

Mrs. Jacks is survived by three sons, Barry (Donna Marie) of Tottenham, Bruce (Barbara) of North Bay and Brian (Barbara) of Kanata, as well as brothers, Arthur, Edward and John MacKrell all of Britain, and sisters Anne Woods of North Bay, Betty Waring (Edward) of Pickering and Patricia MacKrell of Britain. She was predeceased by her husband Sam, her parents, Jane McGearey and Patrick MacKrell, one sister Ellen and a brother James. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) today, April 5th, at Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption in North Bay, Ontario, followed by interment at St. Mary's Cemetery.