Irene’s daughter, Lorraine, provided the
following tribute …
My mother Irene was a marvellous and skilled pianist, and it was such a pleasure to listen to her play. Her repertoire was extensive: she could play all the great composers music so beautifully, and with such skill, and derived great personal joy from her music.
Mother was well read and knowledgeable on almost any subject. You could find an obscure fact, relate it to mother, and she would be able to provide you with extensive information on the subject. Mother's wealth of knowledge was nothing short of amazing.
Like her mother, Irene created all sorts of lovely needlework, sewing and knitting. Mother made beautiful clothes for Aline's and my dolls when we were young. Mother often sewed lovely creations for Aline and I, and taught us to embroider pillowcases and tea towels to send to Aunt Margaret (Platt) each Christmas. Mother was a brownie leader in Calgary. Mom always read to us, and encouraged a love of books, reading. She instilled a wonderful love of music in all of us.
Special days such as Christmas,
Thanksgiving, Easter, and birthdays were wonderful. Mom would make the most
wonderful dinners, bake all sorts of wonderful goodies, and there would always
be lots of guests. Everything would be festive and magical. I have tried to
carry on all the traditions, and my children and grandchildren are as
enraptured and delighted as we were as children. My mother’s culinary skills
and baking were exceptional. I have never had such delicious, flavourful hearty
soups as my Mother would make. Our roast beef dinners and turkey dinners
certainly surpassed the quality of food one would expect at a 5 star hotel.
Mom's Yorkshire pudding was so light and fluffy it would almost float off your
plate! Those who were fortunate enough to taste Mom's delicious meals, and her
pastries, fit for the angels, would be extolling her virtues for years to come.
Mom loved to travel, and travelled to many
places: Australia (a number of times) to visit her son Len, and his children
Susan and Colin. She also travelled to England, Alaska, Grand Cayman Islands,
and had numerous trips within Canada. Irene also had many trips to the United
States, mainly to Mesa Arizona, where she frequently "wintered" with
Aunt Margaret and Uncle Ron (Platt). After Uncle Ron passed on, Irene and Margaret
continued the journeys to Mesa together. Many of the overseas visits were with
her sister Margaret and her husband Ron.
Irene and Margaret, as well as being sisters, were "best friends" and had a close relationship all throughout their lives.
RELIGION:
Member & choir member at St. Andrews United Church in New Westminster,
British Columbia for many years. Irene had a lovely singing voice, and very
much enjoyed singing with the choir. After moving to Maple Ridge B.C., Irene
became a Member of St. Andrews United Church. (After Irene's death, her children
donated her piano to St. Andrews)
BURIED: Our Mother was cremated, and her ashes were spread on the grounds of the monastery, Westminster Abbey at Mission B.C. Canada. Irene loved to visit the monastery, she and her youngest daughter Aline climbed the 127 steps to the top of the bell tower on at least one occasion. There is a trail that leads to a high cliff that looks out over the spectacular Fraser valley, the snow covered Mount Baker in the U.S.A., the mighty Fraser river, and the train tracks that brought us to this beautiful province to live. The sun was shining, the bells were ringing in the bell tower, and two bald eagles were circling overhead the day Irene's children, Leonard, Lorraine and Aline, grandchildren and her sister Margaret placed her ashes under a lovely healthy tree in the midst of all the beauty that Irene enjoyed. All these were things that were dear to Irene's heart.
I had asked Mother where she would like to be buried, and she stated that she did not want to be buried, that she wanted to be cremated and have her ashes spread under a tree where there was a view of mountains. We certainly met her requirements, and then some. We know she would be pleased.