Irene Hazel Owens
1938 - 2021
Irene Hazel Owens
Requested Charity
Canadian Cancer Society or donor's choice
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Irene Hazel Owens

1938-2021

 

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Irene Hazel Owens of Fredericton, New Brunswick.  Irene’s passing occurred on Monday July 12, 2021, at Hospice House Fredericton at the age of 83. She was the daughter of the late Edmund Harvey and Gilbette Jaguary and she was predeceased by her husband Aubrey Owens in 2003.

She is survived by her four daughters: Kelli Owens-Beach (Todd), Terri VanIderstine (Don), Tracy Owens-Anderson (Don) and Sandi Boyle (John). Her grandchildren:  Aidan Beach, Cara Rose Beach and Rowan Beach; Alexander VanIderstine and Emily VanIderstine and Jacob Boyle.  Irene is survived by her siblings: Dorothy Laing, John Harvey, Jack Harvey and Gary Harvey.  She was predeceased by her beloved brother Edmund Harvey Junior.

Irene graduated from Minto Memorial High School in 1957. Her working career included the Bank of Nova Scotia, Chimo Helpline Fredericton and various retail sales positions including clothing and jewellery.  

Irene loved to volunteer and fundraise. She spent countless hours volunteering for the Fredericton Aquanauts Swim Team, Fredericton Gymnastics Club, Bonnie Kilburn Dance Centre as well as the Steeping Stone Senior Centre.  Many great friendships and memories were made that she spoke of in recent days.

Irene loved to garden and at one point had the best garden on Irvine Street. Perennials became a passion and she and her brother Eddie had many conversations about soil, garden spots and the best perennials to choose.

Irene enjoyed many activities including line dancing, bowling, cross country skiing, golfing, biking and travel. Travel highlights included a golf vacation with her daughter Tracy and son-in-law Don as well as a trip to Bermuda, attending the Canadian Women’s Curling Championship in Vancouver British Columbia with her daughter Terri and granddaughter Emily, Montreal with her daughter Kelli and her granddaughter Cara Rose and grandson Rowan and trips to Alberta to visit her daughter Sandi and her youngest grandchild Jacob.  Trips to Cuba and New York with Steppingstone friends were also an adventure!

Irene’s greatest career was that of homemaker. She was a delectable baker - Christmas butter cookies, pies, and chocolate cake and mincemeat tarts – delicious.  I can still see her at the end of the counter grinding deer meat to make the tarts. She was great at canning, pickling (too many kinds to mention) and making jams and jellies with berries she picked herself. She was talented and creative, sewing and knitting for her children when they were younger. 

Education was very important to her, and she encouraged all her daughters to have careers. Childhood memories include family camping trips to Grand Lake Provincial Park, Mactaquac Provincial Park, Nova Scotia to attend the Woodsmen Competition and Montreal to visit our cousins. Sundays were for visiting our grandparents in Saint John, as well as relatives in Minto and Dad’s favorite – going to the camp in Durham and drives to the dump to watch the black bears.

Irene loved her grandchildren – they were the light of her life.  Nana Owens spent time at the curling rick, hockey rink, lacrosse and soccer fields and baseball field cheering on her brood. She attended numerous school concerts, CanSkate ice shows, piano recitals and advancement ceremonies. She never missed a White Gift Christmas play at Hampton United Church.

We are thankful for the attentive compassionate care that Irene received from the doctors and nurses at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital (Palliative Care Unit) and Hospice House Fredericton.

Special thanks to her neighbour Kathy who Mom said, "came into her life at the right time". Covid was a lonely time for seniors and your care, support and fabulous meals made her day!

There will be no visitation or service at this time. A private family interment will take place at the Fredericton Rural Cemetery Donations in Irene’s memory can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the charity of the donor’s choice.  Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed through www.bishopsfuneralhome.com

www.bishopsfuneralhome.com
Irene Hazel Owens