Obituary of CHURCHES – Irene

June 10, 1923 – December 24, 2010 Irene Churches beloved wife of Don of Calgary, passed away with her family by her side on Friday, December 24, 2010 at the Rockyview General Hospital after a lengthy illness at the age of 87 years. Irene was born in Winnipeg, MB to Robert and Elizabeth Eccles. She lived with them in Steep Rock, MB, where she received her early education. She finished her education in Winnipeg and spent her working years with Great West Life Assurance Company as a medical secretary to the noted company Dr. F.A.L. Mathewson who also researched certain R.C.A.F. post-war medical problems. In 1949, she married her husband Donald Edward Churches, spending sixty-one years with him. Together they moved with their family to Calgary in 1975 due to a head office transfer of Don’s. In 1980, Irene opened a little shop in Trinity Lodge that was open to all the residents, which she ran for several years. Irene enjoyed walking in the mountains in Canmore and Banff. She was an avid reader and loved watching or listening to hockey and cheering on the Calgary Flames. All who knew and loved her will miss her sharp wit, sense of humour and remarkable memory for the minute details. Besides her loving husband Don, Irene also leaves to mourn a son and daughter-in-law, Gregory and Charlene of Airdrie, AB; daughter Karen of Calgary, AB; grandchildren, Stephen, Ashley, Courtney and Cody, all of Airdrie, AB; nephew Christopher Redbourn (Tanis) of Winnipeg, MB; and nieces, Kathy Krivak (Gary) of Calgary, AB, Gail (in Abu Dhabi), Sandie, Carol, Janice and Laurie, all of Winnipeg, MB. She was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Elizabeth Eccles and sister Madge Redbourn. A Celebration of Irene’s Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road S.E.) on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to her favourite charity, The Calgary Humane Society, 4455 – 110th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 2T7, Telephone: (403)205-4455, www.calgaryhumane.ca. Don and family would like to thank the staff of Unit Seventy-Four and the CCU at the Rockyview General Hospital for all their wonderful care. In living memory of Irene Churches, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.