IRENE FERGUSON (BURNS)

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IRENE FERGUSON (nee BURNS) Irene passed away peacefully on January 4, 2011 at 95 years of age at Deer Lodge Centre. She was predeceased by her husband, John, just over a year ago and her brother John in 1982. Irene will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Penny Johnson (Darryl), son Gary (Kim), grandchildren Jodi (Paul), Corbin (Jennifer), Quentin, Skylar and great-granddaughter Lucy. Irene was born in the West End in 1915. She attended Isaac Brock School and Daniel Mclntyre Collegiate where she excelled both academically and athletically. Basketball (at 5'2 she must have been a guard!) and baseball were her favourite sports growing up. In fact, it was while playing for Eaton's baseball team that her future husband spotted her in her bloomers and wondered, Who is the cute girl on third? Irene's fondest ambition was to be a nurse but circumstances dictated otherwise (it was 1931) and after Grade 11 she joined the workforce as a cashier in the Exchange Department at Eaton's. Like so many others in those days, Irene and John's relationship was a romance made in Eaton's. After their marriage in 1939, Irene became a homemaker. In those days, Eaton's manager's wives were not allowed to work outside the home. How things have changed! Staying at home meant that the kitchen table on Niagara Street was often a beehive of activity. Playing crib every Friday with her dad, Scrabble with a dear friend Mabel Clare (the same dime passed back and forth for years!) and having coffee with her best friend and neighbour Ruth Diehl were at home activities she really enjoyed. Summers were spent at Sandy Hook, entertaining family and friends. Cocktails were served at 4 o'clock on the dot! The Winter Club was a place where Irene could continue her love of sports. There she bowled and curled competitively until John's retirement from Eaton's. Then they became yearly snowbirds, enjoying time with the Brumfield family and other friends in Biloxi on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Two special ladies, Judy Klimack and Val McRorie, were continually thoughtful and caring friends to Irene. The immediate family enjoyed a quiet gathering in honour of Irene. She was a devoted wife and loving mother and it has been a privilege to have had her in our lives. Many thanks to all the kind and caring staff of Lodge 7, Deer Lodge Centre. Irene particularly enjoyed chairing staff meetings and helping out at the front desk! If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Deer Lodge Centre Foundation with our thanks.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 08, 2011