- Winnipeg Free Press Passages
- All Titles
Search:
Notices are posted by 10 am Monday through Saturday
IRENE KARASICK-MCMURRICH
Date of Passing: May 14, 2014
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryIRENE KARASICK-MCMURRICH Sadly, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on May 14, 2014 at the Simkin Centre in Winnipeg. She was 91. As the matriarch of a large, adoring family, Irene will be deeply missed by her husband John, six children, three stepchildren, 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents Eva and Meyer, father of her children Ben, sisters Beatrice, Pearl and Freda, brothers-in-law Jack, Jack and Lou and daughter-in-law Frances. Irene is survived by her brother Barry (Faye). To John, she was the love of his life and best friend for over 23 years. To her children Ken (Ramona), Verne (Debby), Vivian (Ken), Clifford (Nancy), Lyle (June) and Haderra (Mark) and stepchildren Sara (Steve), Bruce (Lisa) and Jeff (Jackie), she was someone they could look up to for the extraordinary way in which she lived her life and for her many great lifetime contributions and achievements. Born in 1922 and raised in Winnipeg, Irene was perpetually ageless, loved to live and lived to love. Whether it was marrying at 17 or 67, earning her Masters degree in her fifties, starting a business at 60, travelling the world at 70, publishing a book at 80, Irene was a risk taker, a rule breaker and a heart breaker. Irene packed a great deal of life and passion into her tiny frame. Fiercely independent, big in personality and character, she made an impact wherever she went in the world. Over the course of her life as a mother, grandmother, writer, mystic, poet, playwright, Professor of Communications, receiver of numerous community awards, she inspired thousands of people. She taught us: to question boundaries, borders, laws, flaws and codes, to embrace the ever-widening horizons of gender, power and beauty and to never give up on our dreams. For Irene, life was full of unlimited possibilities, which she embraced to the fullest. That is until 10 years ago when tragically she contracted a serious neurological condition that robbed her of her energy, brilliance and creativity. She was forced to endure the sad irony of a master communicator who was silenced during the final phase of her time on earth. Irene was a believer in the continuity of life, beyond this life. With her passing, her luminous spirit can now emerge from the dark prison her life had become. For years to come, through our dreams, thoughts, or feelings in our heart, Irene will continue to communicate and influence all she loved and all who loved her. The family wishes to acknowledge the wonderful care, love and devotion of Irene's primary caregiver Isabel, as well as Tessie, Remy and the staff at the Simkin Centre for making her as comfortable as they could. Funeral services were held at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on Sunday, May 18. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Irene Karasick-McMurrich Women's Endowment Fund at The Jewish Foundation or the charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated. Good night Irene.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 24, 2014
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
-
At the Media Ecology Association Convention in Toronto June 19-22/14 I learned of Irene's passing from her adoring grand-daughter Adeena Karasick, herself an accomplished poet and professor of communication. I remember Irene as a vivacious, funny, feisty independent woman who really knew her stuff as an educator (in my case, children's literature which she taught at Red River Community College in the mid 1980's; at the time I learned that she had served as a children's librarian at West Kildonan Public Library in the mid 1960's -- no wonder!). In a review I wrote for one of her assignments of the book "Angel Square" by Brian Doyle in which the turmoil of street gang life of early post-war Ottawa did not prevail, but that the resilience of the characters persuaded me to reflect that "Life moves on..." to which Irene concurred enthusiastically by the way she marked the assignment. The whole course was like that for me, a life-supporting adventure in learning that she accompanied me on in her joyously imitable way. She gave me much encouragement at a time of considerable inner turmoil and vulnerability in my own life. Thank you Irene, of blessed memory! May you rest in peace. Shalom, Howard R. Engel - Posted by: Howard R. Engel (former student) on: Jun 22, 2014
-
I met Irene once at Shauna's wedding and she was a lovely lady. She must have been special to have raised such a nice family - Posted by: Gerry and Brenda lobb (Friends of Debbie and Verne) on: May 24, 2014
-
Irene was the most vibrant, intelligent and compassionate person. I had the fortune of meeting her at the University of Manitoba and travelling to Israel with her for a course. I also experienced getting lost with her in the market in Jerusalem and both of us buying an artifact we didn't really want in order to leave expeditiously! She celebrated many of my life events and it was always appreciated. She always spoke with pride in regards to her children and was so much fun to be around! I am sorry we lost touch when I moved away and was sad to hear of her passing. My deepest condolences. - Posted by: Jacquee Glance (Friend) on: May 24, 2014
-
Paul and I would like to express our sincere condolences to you all. We hope that your past memories will help during the months ahead. - Posted by: Paul and Brenda Allen (Sister and Brother- in- law of John McMurrich) on: May 24, 2014