About

Manitoba Angel Dresses wishes to ease the stress of grieving families by providing a beautiful hand-sewn outfit to clothe each family’s precious loved one.

Becky Panter brought the Angel Dresses Movement to Canada in 2014.

Here is her story in her own words.

My beautiful little boy, Christopher James, was born sleeping, with perfect toes, perfect fingers, looking like his big brother. He was born on Feb 28, 2014, a moment that changed my life forever.

I wrapped my little Christopher in a doll blanket, fleece made by me from scraps of a blanket I made my girls, with bright owls on it and I held him and cried. Nothing else I could do, but cry. I was broken, I had three healthy beautiful kids, but was holding my youngest son in my hands, knowing I’ll never see his amazing face, not knowing if his eyes will be blue like mine or chocolate brown like his dad’s.

Around the middle of March, I looked for a seamstress to sew my wedding gown, to give to the Regina General Hospital NICU in memory of Christopher. I got two seamstresses and twenty dresses from that. Less than a month later in Saskatchewan, I had over 200 dresses and twenty seamstresses and the beginnings of Saskatchewan Angel Dresses.

Other Canadian provinces began to show interest so I helped get them going and finding seamstresses and dresses. 

Manitoba Angel Dresses was founded in 2014 quickly began recruiting volunteers. The organization spread from Brandon throughout the province as the volunteer base grew. Donations of bridal gowns flooded in from Manitobans to be re-purposes into Angel Gowns for grieving families. Manitoba Angel Dresses’ ability to send angel Gowns and Layettes to hospitals, funeral homes and nursing stations fell behind the amount of bridal gowns we received in 2016. An abundance of materials in combination with a lack of volunteers and infrastructure caused us to slow our operation to almost to a stop.

We picked up in 2018 with a new team of volunteers dedicated to fulfilling the organization’s mission. The team of three created a new organizational structure, gathered exisiting bridal and Angel gowns, and recruited new volunteers.

If you have any questions about how you can help this great cause, please visit our volunteers page or contact us at info@manitobaangeldress.com

Manitoba Angel Dresses Co-Director Diane Monkman is a First Nations woman born and raised in Manitoba. After losing two children to miscarriages, Diane raised four wonderful children with her husband of 37 years and has six amazing grandchildren. Diane has filled many administrative and event coordination roles for businesses like Red River College and The Western Canada Games during her professional career.

In her retirement, Diane has taken on the full-time volunteer position of Manitoba Angel Dresses Co-Director. Her career in public relations has prepared her perfectly to develop Manitoba Angel Dresses into a fully functioning not-for-profit organization.

Manitoba Angel Dresses Co-Director Susan Bruce was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Susan worked as a Registered Nurse in many areas of the Winnipeg Health Sciences Center including burns and plastic surgery, neurosurgery, as well as Children’s ER. She retired after 30 plus years of work and now dedicates her time to Manitoba Angel Dresses. Susan endured two miscarriages and began volunteering after the tragic passing of her two adult children. Susan has experienced the loss of a baby firsthand and uses her strength and knowledge to guide Manitoba Angel Dresses in its mission.

Why do you do what you do?

To bring comfort to those families who have lost a precious family member

What are Layettes?

Layette Definition & Meaning by Merriam-Webster

A complete outfit of clothing and equipment for a newborn infant

Who makes them?

Layettes are created by volunteer seamstresses across the province.

What are the Layettes made from?

Most layettes are made from re-purposed bridal gowns and since 2022 knitted and crocheted layettes have been added to the options families have to choose from.

Where does the yarn come from that the knitters and crocheters use?

Donations of baby sport weight yarn and once a year we purchase yarn to supplement donations.

Where do the wedding gowns come from?

Brides donate their gowns to be re-purposed into layettes

Are there other materials or fabric that Manitoba Angel Dresses needs?

Donations of lining in white and off white is always in need to line the larger blankets. And flannelette in pastel colours, is used to line the wraps. Wraps are for the really tiny babes.

Where do the Layettes go?

A Layette is placed in inventory once it is completed, and held until requested by families, hospitals or funeral homes. Susan Bruce prepares and delivers the items to the facility or family once Manitoba Angel Dresses receives the request.

How do they get there?

Most Layettes are hand delivered to those who request them by our volunteers. If Layettes need to go to remote communities, Manitoba Angel Dresses mails the items or puts out a request for anyone traveling to the North to take the package with them.

How much does the layettes cost?

There is no cost to family, funeral home or hospital.

How can I help?

Manitoba Angel Dresses is always looking for people to join our volunteer family. To volunteer complete the form on our volunteer page and we will be in touch within a day or two.