Obituary of Irene Irwin

Hazel Irene Irwin (Marriott)

January 2, 1932 - August 4, 2025

Irene was born on Saturday January 2^nd, 1932, in the Vancouver General Hospital to Fred and Isabelle Marriott.  Irene grew up in the Vancouver and Surrey area and attended Point Grey High School.  After graduating, Irene was working at a theatre and met Richard (Dick) Irwin - the rest is history.  Dick's work took them out to Alberta; first Wetaskiwin, and later Stettler.

Irene and Dick were busy raising their family of six children, which involved keeping a massive garden, pickling and preserving, and Irene sewing and mending many clothes.  A talented seamstress, Irene sewed costumes for the local Gilbert and Sullivan theatre group for years, as well as many wedding and bridesmaid dresses.  Later, Irene worked in the insurance department for the AMA office in Stettler and served as the office manager for Heartland Stationers.  In her last role before retirement, Irene had the business Creative Center in Stettler for 13 years – an opportunity to put her extensive knowledge of sewing, knitting, and needlework to good use.

When Dick and Irene retired, they enjoyed many trips in “old blue” and camping and staying in Montana with their cat, Bear.  They also camped seasonally at Old MacDonald’s at Buffalo Lake, with a special wagon they labelled for “Irwin Grandkids.”  Irene cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and often had a project on the go with them in mind – from knitted sweaters to plastic-canvas doll furniture and personalized recipe books.  When Irene and Dick were home in Stettler, they never missed an opportunity to wave to passengers on the Alberta Prairie Steam Train, which brought them great joy.

Irene is survived by her loving family, children: James (Colleen), Marie (Ross), Debbie, John (Debby), MaryJane (Vern); grandchildren: Candice, Michael (Erin), Carol (Jayson), Byron, Chad, Nicole (Lance), Katherine (Reece), Crystal (Jonathan); great grandchildren: Moira, Andrew, Theo, Paige, Logan, Nolan, and Linden; Irene is also survived by her brother John (Anne), cousins, nephews and many great friends.  Irene is predeceased by her loving husband Dick, and son Don.

As Irene wished, no formal funeral service will be held.

Donations in memory of Irene are gratefully accepted to the Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation 5241 Calgary Trail N.W., Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5G8 or to a charity of your choice.