Irene was born February 19, 1932 on the family farm in Lintlaw, Saskatchewan. She is survived by her children: Dave and Karen; four grandchildren; and her brother Henry. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother Stanley. Irene is remembered as a wonderful Mom, Gramma, and friend, with a quick wit and a loving smile, and she really, really loved dogs.
Ray and Irene were married in 1950 and. After a few unsuccessful years of farming, they lived in several small towns in Saskatchewan, where Ray was a grain elevator agent and then became a Credit Union manager for the rest of his career. Irene worked as a bookkeeper, but always had a keen interest in helping those less fortunate. She cared for out-patients from a Mental Health Institute in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, from 1967-69, and when they eventually moved to Victoria in 1978, they operated a luxury retirement home until 1982, when they bought and managed a home for adults wit mental health issues. During retirement, they enjoyed travelling to Hawaii, Hong Kong, Alaska, and Poland, while spending several winters in their motorhome in Arizona.
Her memorial service will be held Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 2 PM at First memorial Funeral Services, 1211 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, BC. Interment will follow on Monday, May 8, 2017 at Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations to the SPCA (www.spca.bc.ca), 3785 Casorso Road, Kelowna, BC V1W 4M7; the CMHA (www.cmhakelowna.com), 504 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 5X1;or The Heart and Stroke Foundation (www.heartandstroke.ca) #4, 1551 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9M9.
To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit: www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com.
Arrangements in care of First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC. 250-762-2299
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