Obituary of Irene Elizabeth Seth

In Loving Memory

Irene Seth

June 25, 1928 ~ September 25, 2023

Irene E Seth

Mom, (Irene) was born in Castor on June 25, 1928 to Joseph and Margaret Galm.   She attended the Greenview School for grades 1-9 and boarded at the Convent to complete her high school at Theresetta School.  After graduating, at the age of 17, she taught 27 students from grade 1-9 at the Rosetta school and roomed at Percy Chapman’s just down the road.  It was during this time that she first met her future husband -  Mac Seth, who conveniently lived right beside the school.

After this she moved into Castor and worked at the egg grading station, Matthias Hardware and then at O.W. Colley Lumber. On July 7, 1949 Mom and Dad were married in the Knox United Church in Castor, and both worked for O.W. Colley until 1953 when their first son, Colin was born. In 1955 they moved to the farm with Mac’s parents, eventually buying the farm in 1962.  Hard work prevailed through tough times, while welcoming three more children, Wayne in 1955, Margaret in 1957 and Karen in 1960.

In March of 1972, her life was shattered when Dad (Mac) passed quickly from a massive heart attack leaving her with 4 young children. With the help of neighbors and friends, Mom worked very hard to hold onto the farm until Wayne graduated from school and was able to take it over.

In 1975 Mom was hired at the County of Paintearth School Division.   This was a job she thoroughly enjoyed for 19 years, advancing her position to Executive Secretary.  During this time she made many new friends and enjoyed the freedom and resources to travel.

In 1982 Mom built a new house in Castor where she resided until her passing on September 25^th.

In 2010, Mom was diagnosed with Myasthenia gravis but that didn’t stop her from leading a very full life to the age of 95 years, 3 months.

Until just this year, she kept an immaculate yard with a large garden and an abundance of flowers.  She took great pride in her yard and house and they  were the brightest and most decorated on the block during the entire Christmas season.

This summer she realized, on her own, that it was getting too much for her and had planned to move into the Paintearth Lodge.

Mom passed away peacefully in the early morning on September 25^th, with her loving family present, after a brief illness of pneumonia.

“When we lose someone we love, we must learn not to live without them

but to live with the love they left behind”

Irene is survived by her 4 children: Colin (Carmen) Seth, Wayne (Diane) Seth, Margaret (Richard) Seth-Perreault and Karen (Ross) Duncan;15 grandchildren:  Jody (Gordon), Naomi, Jenna (Justin), Mac, Lane, Sam, Angela (Shane), Jennifer (Michael), Cory (Kelsey), Lindsey (Brennen), Heather (Alim), Matthew, Alisia (Darrick), Michelle (Richard) and Dustin (Ashley); 17 great grandchildren:  Jessica (Tazmir), Jaycee, Brayden, MacKenzie, Qwynn, Ethan, Addison, Dylan, Tyler, Jayden, Morgan, Claire,Will, Farrah, Bristol, Cienna and Elise; 2 great great grandchildren Jamilla and Trex; sister Evelyn Scott;sisters-in-law Alice Morgan and Helen MacLean; numerous other family and many dear friends and neighbors.  

Irene was predeceased by husband Mac in 1972; parents Joseph and Margaret Galm; brothers Johnny, Edward Galm; infant sister Mary; parents-in-law William E., Katie (first wife) and Janet Seth; sisters-in-law Jean O'Coin and Arlene Galm.

Celebration of Life

Monday, October 2, 2023 at 2:00 P.M.

Knox United Church, Castor, Alberta

Luncheon to Follow

at the Castor Community Hall

Memorial Donations may be made to

OLRH Foundation, Heart & Stroke Foundation,

Canadian Diabetes Association or Charity of Your Choice.