Mom passed peacefully April 17, 2012, at her home of the past 6 years, Cerwydden Care Center, Duncan, BC. Born on September 16, 1912 in Dagenham, England. Predeceased by her husband Joe (Jack) (1980), her father James Henry (1946), mother Jenny Buteux (1953), grandfather James Henry (1936), and daughters-in-law Susan and Alice. She is survived by her four loving sons Raymond, Brian (Pat), Dennis and Kim (Maggie), and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
During WW2, she worked in a webbing equipment plant. Mom met her future husband, then a Private in the South Saskatchewan Light Infantry, at a dance and their relationship blossomed. Mom and Dad were married at St Georges’ Church, Dagenham, Essex, England on July 21,1940. As a war bride she and their first son Raymond disembarked from England and came bravely to Canada via ship, arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia in January 1946. They travelled via train to their prairie home in Saskatchewan, arriving Feb. 14, 1946. The family then relocated to Victoria BC in 1947.
As a wife and mother, Mom was a very determined and courageous lady raising 4 boys in the 50’s and 60’s, while looking after her husband who was injured during the war and required lengthy periods of hospitalization. Mom embraced her life in Canada. She was active in the Overseas Wives Club, War Brides association and the Silver Threads association. She loved to dance and offered recitations at many events and loved to watch “Coronation Street”.
Internment will occur in the Veteran’s Cemetery Esquimalt. A celebration of a life well lived will occur in September 2012. The family thanks the special staff of Cerwydden for their care and attention to Mom’s needs. Donations may be made to The Salvation Army in memory of our Mom Irene. Condolences for the family may be offered below.
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Mel and Leona Peters
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Tracy Woods-Putherbough Dear Pat & Brian,
Just want you to know that I’m thinking of you. Losing a parent at any age, is so very difficult. Brian … your Mom sounds like she was a wonderful Mother and a very loving and strong woman. It is wonderful to read about her involvement in the forces as a War bride now that my Emily is in the 1st Hussars with the Canadian Forces. I will share your Mom’s life story with Emily.This is a time when we all live too far from each other.
Hugs,
Tracy Woods-Putherbough
In approximately 1980 we were on a holiday from rural Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to the west coast. Mel had an uncle and aunt in Victoria. We make arrangemets to stop by and while Mel visited with Uncle Jack, your Mom, myself (Leona) and our 6 year-old daughter went, by bus, to an English bake shop. After having exquisite baked goodies and something to drink we took the bus back to their house. Now, many years later I still recall that as a special part of that holiday. Leona