Irene passed away December 26, 2025. Irene was born on December 22nd, 1929, in Harbin, China to parents Boris and Valentina Glebow. When she was one year old, her family relocated to Shanghai, where she eventually graduated from Sacred Heart Convent and then Shanghai Business College. Irene’s life in Shanghai was dominated by sports at the Soviet Sports Club, with her days spent playing Grass Hockey, Volleyball, Netball and Track and Field. She was the captain of some of those teams. She met the love of her life, George Zellenskey, at the Club on May 4th, 1949. The two were married in November of that year, and 500 people attended the wedding. Irene and George’s first daughter, Valentina, was born on Feb 12th, 1951, and two years later, the family immigrated to Canada. Their second daughter, Victoria, was born on November 8th, 1953. George and Irene had a wonderful marriage of 36 years. George worked as a compositor for the Times Colonist and Irene in the insurance business. Sadly, George passed away from lung cancer after a short illness in 1986. Following George’s passing, Irene went on a long trip to Australia to visit friends. Upon returning, she decided to volunteer at the Victoria General Hospital gift shop, a position she kept for 35 years. In 1987, Irene met Sam at a widow and widowers’ ball, where they danced the night away. Sam proposed to Irene in front of the Fountain of Trevi in Italy, and on December 5th, 1987, they were married. Sam and Irene travelled the world many times over and lived life to the fullest. After 28.5 years of adventures together, Sam passed away in 2016.
Irene enriched the life of anyone around her and smothered her family with unconditional love and affection. She had 4 grandchildren: Andrew, Nicole, Maxwell and Duncan. They referred to her as Baba and thought the world of her. As a Baba, Irene was impeccable, always being there for her grandchildren in any way she could. Be it family dinners, Christmas gatherings or vacations, she always found any excuse to bring the family together and spend as much time as possible with the ones she loved. In later years, she became a great grandmother to George, Kobe, Kruz, Elodie, Cohen and Turner. It brought her so much joy to have yet another generation to spread her love to, and she spent as much time as she could with each of them.
Irene was diagnosed with throat cancer at 90 but fought it off with radiation treatments and her strong will to have more time with us. She stayed active all the way up until the end, as a member of the CB55 club, playing ping pong, pickleball and going for regular walks. Her throat cancer returned at age 95. On December 22nd, 2025, she dressed in her wedding dress, had her makeup done by her granddaughter Nikki, and attended her 96th birthday party with the family, determined to celebrate one last time, as the life of the party. A few days later, on Boxing Day, she left us, just as bravely as she lived each day of her life and surrounded by all the people she loved most.
Irene’s final words were: “I love you all so much, more than you will ever know.”
But we know Baba, we know.
Irene is survived by her daughters Tina (Walt) and Vicky, grandchildren Andy, Nicole (Ryan), Max (Ali), Duncan (Alexis), and her great grandchildren George, Kobe, Kruz, Elodie, Cohen and Turner.
We will have a family Celebration of Life.
In Lieu of donations please buy flowers for someone you love, in honour of Irene!
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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27 Responses
My deepest condolences to Vicky, Tina and all the family. My mother-in-law, Holly Jones, considered Irene one of her dearest friends. She was so warm and engaging and always took an interest in Holly’s family. My sons Michael and David were also saddened to hear of Irene’s passing, as they have fond memories of her from when they were young children. Irene was especially helpful to me in helping me navigate Holly’s later years. I will always appreciate Irene’s genuine kindness, insights, and bright personality.
Dear Tina and Vicky,
I am so sorry to hear this. Your mother was blessed to live a long and full life. You will feel the ache of her passing forever, as all of us feel when our parents pass. I will feel the ache with you because I grew up with you, and your parents were Uncle and Auntie in spirit to my brother and me. My thoughts are with you. Peter and I will see you at the Celebration of Life. Please keep me in the loop.
Paul Turje
My sincere condolences to family and friends, your neighbor and friend
Milka Wallace ( the flower girl) RIP Irene!
Dear Vicky, Tina and your loved ones Your mother was an amazing woman! I ran into her at the grocery store last year and we had a wonderful conversation… I told her how amazing she looked and what an inspiration she is to many! She was so modest about it which made it even more inspiring! Being who she is/was you know for sure she’s receiving her wings to be an angel for all of you! I KNOW she has had an amazing welcoming and reunion with your Dad and many others sending you much love Maureen Freeman (Moe to you Vicky!)
I am privileged to have known Irene from the Mah Jong group at CB50+Senior’s Club.
She was a special friend to me because she was brought up in China and lived there
for many years. I took Irene out to dinner for Chinese Food as she told me she could not
find proper Chinese food in Victoria! She loved it and she sat next to me at my 90th
birthday celebration last October. I will always remember Irene,so amazingly kind
and gracious. I will miss her dearly. May she rest in peace.
With deepest condolences to the family,
Pam Chang-Kue
Your mom had a long , interesting and fulfilling life Vick. Thinking of you and your family as you go through this difficult time. This is a lovely and well deserved tribute to her❣️
Our deepest condolences to all the family on the loss of your mom, Baba and great Baba! We always enjoyed when she and Uncle Sam passed through Calgary and spent time with us. We still have the crocheted clown she gave our children so many years ago where you could strap the clowns legs to their own and could dance with it! She and Uncle Sam are probably dancing in heaven now as well as her first husband whose pictures she had above her bed so they could watch over her! Our last visit with Aunty Irene was just under two years ago-she was 94 and we couldn’t leave till we ate two bowls of her lovely borscht! Always the lovely hostess! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all Don and Marianne Hladiuk -Calgary
It’s hard to believe Aunt Irene is gone. My heart goes out to all of you. She did love you all, telling me all your accomplishments every time I’d see her.
Vicki and family so sorry to hear of your mum’s passing. I know how close you were to her and what a wonderful mum and grandma she was to you all.
deepest condolences Maureen and Bernie Hinz
OMG. Condolences from me. Please keep me posted concerning the Celebration of Life.