Obituary of Irene CRONE

January 29, 1928 – Roe Hampton, England
August 9, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mom and Granny, Irene Crone, on Monday, August 9, 2021.

Irene was born on January 29, 1928 in Roe Hampton, England to Edith and Walter Watson.  She had an older sister Phyllis who died in childhood and two older brothers, Fred and Ron.  Irene grew up in Southend-On-Sea and met her husband, David John Crone there, while he was serving in the Navy during World War II. They married in June of 1944 and Irene boarded the ship for Montreal as a war bride.  Once in Montreal, Irene and David raised 3 children, Phyllis (Moss), Alana (Hodgson) and Ronald Crone, with Ron being born later in life.  

Irene would tell stories of how during the war she used her gas mask bag that they were mandated to carry, as a purse and how she went to pay the rent one month and the only building that remained standing on the street from the previous nights bombing, was the one that she had to pay the rent to.  Irene also often fondly remembered her german shepherd, Lady, that she had during the war and would talk about how she was a great protector she was during the blackouts.

Irene was for the most part a stay at home mom but she did work for a short period of time at the Sunlife building.  Irene loved taking the girls to the beach with her best friend “Auntie” Barbara and loved animals.   Having a child later in life, kept Irene young at heart.  She will forever be remembered for her sarcastic sense of humor. 

After Ron was grown, Irene moved to Calgary in 1989 to be closer to her daughter Phyllis.  Irene joined the social club in her apartment and could always be found there either playing cards, pool, bingo or joining in with her famous chicken wings for the pot luck nights. Irene was an avid bingo goer and spent every Sunday at Phyllis’s house for some great rounds of gin rummy and a family dinner.    Later in life Irene would become a regular at Humpty’s and could often be found having lunch there with her grandchildren and great grandchildren after grocery shopping.

She is lovingly remembered by her daughter Alana Hodgson (Mark), son Ronald Crone (Rhonda); grandchildren, Kimberly Fenton (Joe), Corrie Moss, Derek Hodgson, John Hodgson (Bridgette), Megan Crone and Ashley Crone; and her six great-grandchildren, Emily, Jordan, Cole, Caleb, Janelle, Xavier and Hunter. She was predeceased by her husband, David Crone, son-in-law Kenneth Moss, daughter Phyllis Moss, and her grandson Jamie Moss.

The last few years of her life, Irene spent with the amazing staff at the Mayfair Care Center.  

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Irene’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. 

In living memory of Irene Crone, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.