SCHMIRLER’S DAUGHTERS
FAMILY TRADITION
Sandra Schmirler is remembered as a legendary curler — and for an Olympic gold medal she won 16 years ago today. Her daughters Sara, 16, and Jenna, 14, have no recollections of Schmirler, but they are very much the image of their mother.
REGINA — Sandra Schmirler will always be fondly remembered as a legendary curler — and for an Olympic gold medal she won 16 years ago Saturday.
She is also celebrated as a mother.
“She’s definitely a mom to be proud of,” says Jenna England, Schmirler’s 14-year-old daughter.
“I’ll never get tired of talking about her,” 16-yearold Sara England adds after competing alongside her sister in a youth-league match at the Highland Curling Club.
Neither Sara nor Jenna have recollections of their mother, who died of cancer on March 2, 2000, at age 36.
Sara was only 2 1/2 at the time. Jenna was eight months old.
Nearly 14 years later, the girls are upbeat and cheerful — very much the image of their mother, who loved to smile and laugh.
“Our lives aren’t a sad story,” Sara says.
“We have had sadness as part of it,” Jenna notes, “but everyone does.”
Over the years, Sara and Jenna have learned so much about their mom from the people who knew her — close family members, dear friends, and even absolute strangers who vividly, affectionately remember the Schmirler team and all it accomplished.
Schmirler, third Jan Betker, second Joan McCusker and lead Marcia Gudereit won Canadian and world women’s curling championships in 1993, 1994 and 1997.
In addition, the Callie-based team captured the first-ever Olympic women’s curling gold medal — presented Feb. 15, 1998 in Karuizawa, Japan.
Schmirler and her curling cohorts qualified for that event by winning the Olympic trials, held in Brandon in November 1997. Schmirler posted a 9-6 victory over Shannon Kleibrink in the women’s final at the trials, largely on the strength of a miraculous in-off.
While the curling world was buzzing about that signature shot, Schmirler was emphasizing that Sara was, to that point, her “best delivery.”
Sara and Jenna have both seen that shot, several times, on TV and on video.
“It’s incredible,” Sara says.
“It’s definitely a proud feeling to see that a member of my family did that.”
Jenna also marvels at the shot, often reminding herself: “That was my mom. She did that.” And so much else. Being that Schmirler led a very public life, Sara and Jenna are able to access information about their mother from the extensive documentation in the media.
The family’s collection includes photographs, voice recordings and some home videos.
Word of mouth is also invaluable. Shannon England answers any questions that his teenage daughters may have.
Sara and Jenna have also had numerous conversations with their grandmother, Shirley Schmirler, who moved to Regina from Biggar after Sandra was diagnosed with cancer in 1999.
“We have learned so much from what people tell us about her,” Sara says. “Whenever we meet people, they say, ‘Your mom was a great lady,’ and they talk about who she is. That helps as far as getting to know her.”
“It’s always cool to hear a new story,” Jenna adds.
To some fans of the Schmirler team, her daughters are frozen in time.
People remember the images of Sara at the Regina airport, back in her mother’s arms, after the triumphant return from the Olympics in Japan.
“To the public, we’re always these little kids,” Sara says, chuckling.
“They don’t realize that we do grow up. But a lot of people haven’t seen me since I was two.”
Sara can often be seen at the curling rink, given the fact that she is on three different teams — the youthleague club, a senior girls foursome from Campbell Collegiate (where she is in Grade 11), and a mixed juvenile squad.
“Curling is really just my life, to be honest,” Sara says. “Everything in my life revolves around it. I just like it too much, I guess.”
The love of curling extends to Jenna, a Grade 9 student who also plays on a junior team from Campbell.
“We’re from a curling family,” Jenna says. “We just love it.”
The family was on hand earlier this month when Canada Post released a commemorative stamp on which Schmirler appears.
Sara and Jenna appeared at a Feb. 3 media conference, along with their father, for the unveiling of the stamp.
“It turned out really nice,” Sara says. “I love it.”
Jenna adds: “The artist did an incredible job.”
That is also Sara’s description of Shannon England, who has raised two daughters as a single father.
“I’m just glad we have a dad who is so supportive and loving,” Sara says.
The girls also appreciate the support of Shirley Schmirler, who has played such an integral role in raising her granddaughters.
There are times, as Jenna points out, when the girls are at a school recital or the curling rink.
And their grandmother typically sums it all up by turning to them and saying: “You don’t know how proud your mom would be.”