Obituary of Irene Mary Elizabeth Tittemore

September 19, 1949 - Lippstadt, Germany

May 1, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Irene Mary Elizabeth Tittemore of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the age of 74 years.

Born on September 19, 1949, in Lippstadt, Germany, Irene travelled to Canada with her family at the age of five on a ship across the Atlantic Ocean from Germany to Montreal. Her family settled in Ontario, where she grew up, and she eventually took a job for the local school board. This is where she met the love of her life, Jim. Over Irene and Jim’s 46-year marriage, they lived in Napanee, ON, and then Balzac, Calgary, and Airdrie, AB. They were the immensely proud parents of Jeff, Julie (Ross), and Jamie (Lorie), and devoted grandparents to Hailey, Cole, George, Emily, and Charlie.

Irene’s passion for gardening was evident in her vegetable gardens and flowerbeds that were the envy of the neighbourhood. She was also an accomplished seamstress, which led to numerous sewing projects, including clothing, quilts, décor items, and costumes for dance competitions and Halloween.

Irene’s cooking was unmatched, and she was never content to serve a conventional meal; always something gourmet or creative, as anyone lucky enough to be invited over for a meal can attest. Irene would constantly take advantage of any opportunity to share her love of all three of these incredible talents with her children and grandchildren. These teaching moments have become cherished memories that Irene’s family will always carry in their hearts.

An extraordinarily loving wife, mother, and grandmother, fiercely loyal, and actively involved in cheering on all her grandchildren in their various sports and activities, Irene never missed a hockey game, school performance, or dance recital. Her fun-loving nature, with a truly contagious smile and laugh, will be dearly missed.

Since her ALS diagnosis in 2020, Irene courageously battled against the horrible disease so she could continue to hold her important matriarch role in her family and find fulfillment in the things that brought her and her family members joy. Even in the face of her declining condition, her selfless dedication to her family and her tenacious spirit never wavered.

Memorial Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Airdrie, 300 Towerlane Drive, Airdrie, AB) on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

If friends so desire, in place of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the A.L.S. Society of Alberta (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), 7874 – 10^th Street N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 8W1, www.alsab.ca, as thanks to a phenomenal organization that has provided Irene and her family with incredible support, resources, and equipment.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Irene’s family here.

In living memory of Irene Mary Tittemore, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Airdrie, 300 Towerlane Drive, Airdrie, AB T4B 3L8, Telephone: 403-948-1100.