IRENE STUART

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IRENE STUART On September 14, 2012, Irene Mabel Stuart (nee Stevin) of Winnipeg, Manitoba, passed away after a brief illness. She leaves to mourn her nephew Dennis Rice and wife Heather Marshall of Starbuck, Manitoba, step-nieces Erika and Maureen, and niece Charleen of Winnipeg. Irene was predeceased by her husband Maclees (Mac) Stuart in 1985, her brother Herold in 1975, her sister Minerva in 1992, and her sister Edna in 2006. Irene was born at Sanford, Manitoba in 1924 and spent her youth helping her parents, Emma and Ferdinand, run the family farm. She became well-known as an adept baseball player in the Sanford and Domain areas. She moved to Winnipeg as a young adult and worked at Eaton's for several years before marrying Mac Stuart. Irene and Mac worked in the service station business, at one time as owners of 75 Esso on Pembina Highway. After selling the service station, Irene became a full-time home maker, in addition to spending countless hours volunteering at the Gift Shop of the Grace Hospital. She and Mac enjoyed traveling extensively in the United States, the Caribbean and Portugal. They were also avid Blue Bomber and Winnipeg Jets fans. Irene played golf on a regular basis well into her twilight years. Through her sisters Edna and Minerva, Irene and Mac came to have many friends in the Starbuck and Dacotah areas and enjoyed snowmobiling there with family and friends. After Mac's passing, Irene spent much of her time with her sisters Edna and Minerva and their families. She also took particular interest in her nephew Dennis' farm at Starbuck. In her later years, she spent hours watching her beloved Toronto Blue Jays on TV and playing cribbage at A.N.A.F. 283 in St. James. Irene requested a private burial with only close family attending. Donations may be made in memory of Irene to the Grace Hospital Foundation and the Winnipeg Humane Society.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 19, 2012