IRENE KOLB

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IRENE KOLB October 6, 1909 - September 6, 2008 A WOMAN OF SPIRIT Irene was born and raised in the North End of Winnipeg with brothers Lloyd, Homer, and sister Alberta Wuckert. Her father, Henry Kolb (1883 - 1945) was born in Kitchener, ON. Her mother, Sophia Whitting (1879 - 1949) was born near Port Elgin, ON. A favourite childhood memory was of Taxi, the most intelligent dog on Earth. He was always there for her when she needed him. She knew she had a true friend in Taxi. Irene's closest friend in early adulthood was Mary McGary. Another significant woman in her life was Irene Suffron. There was a telepathy between the two young women. Getting powerful feelings of her friend's need for help, Irene would jump on a bus and go to her house to be by her side. Irene was an accomplished pianist, winning a silver medal in 1928 from the London College of Music. Her work career began at 18 as a telegraph operator. She was proud to earn enough money to visit Minneapolis and Chicago on her holidays. She loved haunting the second hand book stores. Irene spent most of her career at Macdonald Aircraft as an outstanding stenographer. A fiercely independent woman, Irene was not afraid to take risks. At the age of 50 she felt the need for more meaning in her life and left her career to become a nun. Stationed in Sherbrook, Quebec, with the Servants of Mary, she learned French and taught piano. At 74 Irene returned to Winnipeg, becoming the oldest person both to enter and to leave the convent. She reconnected with her brothers and sister, and her bridge buddies, Merle Cox, Pearl Walker, and Ann Steininger. For over 20 years she was happy to call Lion's Manor her home. At 75 Irene started flying with her brother Lloyd. Every Sunday they would go to St. Andrew's Airport, take a small aircraft and enjoy Winnipeg and the countryside from the sky. Irene dedicated part of each day to either meditation, prayer, spiritual reading or in spiritual conversations with her friend, Doreen Wuckert. Irene was truly a woman of spirit. A reception celebrating Irene's life will be held Wednesday, September 17 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. For more information call Doreen or Grant at 837-9613.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 13, 2008