IRENE MCGRATH

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IRENE MCGRATH A service celebrating the life of Irene McGrath, 84 years, mother of Connie Smullen (Robert), Patricia Geske (Allan), all of Winnipeg and Ken McGrath (Sheila McGuigan) of Toronto, will be held at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at 12:30 p.m. with a reception to follow. Also surviving are her dearly beloved grandchildren, Sheila Sachvie (David), Colleen Geske (Moses) of Amsterdam, and Kyle Geske (Shannon); great-grandchildren, Laura, Matthew and Mark Sachvie. Predeceased by her husband Norman McGrath in 1977, Irene will be loving remembered by her faithful, lifelong friend, Doreen Cobb, of Yuma, Arizona and amie , Germaine Flachbart and Daisy Butler of Winnipeg, as well as her bridesmaid, Shirley McMahon of Niverville. She will also be remembered with love by her cousins, April Maxwell (Don), Winnipeg, Bruce McBeth (Pat), Ireland, Marion Hathaway (Buddy) and Joyce Houghton, both of the Big Sky area in Montana. Irene will be missed by McGrath relatives, the Ray family of Bermuda, the Dew family of Thornton, ON, the Kilborn's of Cold Lake, AB. and the Williams family of Victoria, BC. Graduating from Daniel McIntyre and Success Business College, Irene excelled in English Literature, Latin, Spelling and Shorthand, which enabled her to proudly type 86 words per minute. She worked as a Secretary at J. H. Ashdown's and was a highly regarded Administrative Assistant to Cliff Harris, Civilian Western Region Personnel Officer, Department of National Defence, C.F.B. Winnipeg. During 15 retirement winters in Yuma, Arizona, her pastimes were hosting family and friends at her home, as well as volunteering to teach English to Spanish speaking elementary school children. Irene lived life to the fullest. She offered her energy, talent and good humour with unfailing generosity. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were inspired by her youthful zest for life. The happy, fun times she shared with them will be lovingly remembered and forever missed. Our family wishes to offer their sincere gratitude to the staff at Calvary Place for the compassionate, high quality nursing care and spiritual support which was so generously and professionally given to our Mother during her five year struggle with memory loss. Our family will host a luncheon next week for the Calvary Place staff to thank and honour them for lovingly caring for our Mother, Irene. If friends so desire, they may make a donation to The Nursing Education Fund, Calvary Place Personal Care Home, 1325 Erin Street, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R6. In God's own time He formed a Plan and soon on earth Appeared a man, but after this there came another, God's special gift, He Made a Mother. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME AND RECEPTION CENTRE 4000 Portage Avenue 885 - 9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 06, 2007