IRENE JANET MARSHALL (STEWART)

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IRENE JANET MARSHALL (nee STEWART) On October 13, 1999 at the age of 76 years, Irene passed away peacefully at Grace Hospital following a lengthy illness. She is survived by her sister Jean Lewis of Rapid City; her brother R.D. Stewart and wife Gladys of Minnedosa; by her children, Janet and husband Eric Gyselman of Niverville, Judith and husband John Perrin of Winnipeg and Brian and wife Jacqueline Marshall of Surrey, BC and by her grandchildren, Bradford and Matthew Gyselman, Sarah, John and Kathleen Perrin, and Nathan and Hannah Marshall. Irene is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Dulcie Page and Thelma Stewart of Calgary, Dorothy Stewart of Brandon, Joan Marshall of Fullerton, CA and by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Francis John Mervyn Marshall; by her parents, James Crerar Stewart and Esther Budge Gerry; by her brothers, George and Alexander Stewart and by her brothers-in-law, Bill Lewis, Noel Marshall and Fred Page. Irene was born January 14, 1923 in Minnedosa and raised on Stewart farm, which had been in the family since 1881. The family prospered through the Great Depression, operating a dairy serving the town of Minnedosa. Irene graduated from Minnedosa Collegiate Institute and over the years greatly enjoyed her class reunions. Following school, she moved to Winnipeg where she worked for the Manitoba Telephone System as a clerk. After the Second World War she married Frank in 1946 and retired to raise her family. Despite her precarious beginning as a very premature baby, Irene was an energetic and active person all her life. In sports she excelled at badminton where she was a fierce competitor frequently successful in tournament play. She was a marvellous cook and loved to bake from scratch. Her bread, pies, cookies, cakes and tarts were legendary. She was adept at sewing and knitting, outfitting children and grandchildren over the years. After many years of family vacations at the farm and on camping trips, she and her husband acquired their summer camp on Lake Winnipeg, where she enjoyed entertaining, swimming, evening card games and Monopoly tournaments. She supervised the construction of a new cottage, planted beautiful gardens and numerous trees and was able to spend time with her children and grandchildren. Latterly, she fought cancer with courage and tenacity over more than a decade. Many thanks to the nurses and staff of the Grace Hospital 4th floor East palliative care ward for their caring and compassion. Irene was a dearly loved wife, mother and grandmother who will be deeply missed by her family and friends. A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 15 at 2:00 p.m. at Westworth United Church, Grosvenor at Lanark Street.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 14, 1999