Obituary of Irene May Cunningham

May 31, 1917 – July 24, 2009 We would like to celebrate the life of Irene Cunningham who passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Friday, July 24, 2009 at the age of 92 years young. Irene was born in Castor, AB and grew up on her parent’s homestead in Nevis, AB near Stettler. She completed grades 1 – 12 at the 2 room school house right on her parent’s farm and achieved some provincial notoriety as a basketball player in the upper grades. She moved with her family to Calgary in the 1930’s where she completed a secretarial arts program and took her first full-time job working at William’s Brothers Furniture. Following this, she then moved on to work at Greyhound Bus Lines for 15 years. At this time, she met her future husband, Bill whom she dated for 13 years before they were married in 1951. Her only child, Bill, arrived in 1955 at which point she became a full-time stay at home mom. She continued her interest in sports as a bowler and curler as well as being an avid Stampeders fan. She was able to enjoy some retirement years with her husband, Bill, travelling regularly to Hawaii and Palm Springs before she lost him in 1985. However, she continued her love of life by attaining her driver’s license at the age of 68 and continued to travel with friends both by car and otherwise. In 2001, she suffered a stroke and has been a resident of McKenzie Towne Care Centre since then. Irene was a remarkable woman who will always be remembered by her family for her willingness to give and care for others and, of course, for her very quick sense of humour. She is survived by her son, Bill and daughter-in-law, Lynne; her beloved grandchildren, Dave and Laurie; her brother Clayton and sister Fern and many, many other friends and family. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca. In living memory of Irene Cunningham, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.