IRENE WATCHORN (EMMONDS)

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IRENE WATCHORN (nee EMMONDS) Born in Winnipeg, MB on May 27, 1917, passed away October 23, 2001, at the age of 84 years, in the Grace Hospital. Predeceased by her parents, Sarah and David Emmonds; her beloved Grandmother Groa Magnusson; husbands, Roy Rindahl and Allan Watchorn and cousin Fred Ruppel. Irene grew up in the family home on Home Street, raised by her maternal aunt Hilda, and uncle Fred Ruppel, after the passing of her grandmother. She married her high school sweetheart Roy Rindahl and they had a daughter Dianne. The marriage ended in divorce a few years later. In 1945, she married Allan Watchorn, and their daughter Carol Joy was born. Irene was fiercely proud of her Icelandic heritage, and was thrilled to be able to visit Iceland in 1988. She looked forward to the Icelandic Celebration in Gimli and Folklorama each year. She was a complex woman, a fiery redhead, with a devoted love for all she held dear. In November of 2000, she suffered a massive stroke, and in May of this year was admitted to Deer Lodge Centre. Survived by two daughters, Dianne Sharkey of Powell River, B.C. and Carol Joy Emmonds of Winnipeg; five grandchildren, Susan Sharkey of Gillies Bay, B.C., Ronnie Allan Sharkey of Spokane, WA, Hilda-Anne Sharkey-Keith of Abbottsford, B.C., Jaime (Brad) Mills and Andrea Regis of Winnipeg; five great-grand-children, Amber, Amanda and Carson Keith, Sarah Regis and Kane Mills; her "sister" Grace Berg of White Rock, B.C.; sister-in-law Violet Lesack; special niece Mrs. Natalie Denesovych of Winnipeg; numerous relatives and friends. Sincere thanks and appreciation to our family doctor, Ron Davey, for the care over many decades, to the nurses and staff who took care of Mum while she was a patient at the St. Boniface Hospital, the care givers at Deer Lodge Centre, and the nursing staff at Grace Hospital. "We will cherish our memories." A service will be held on Friday, October 26, 2001 at 1:00 p.m. at Neil Bardal Inc., 984 Portage Ave., entrance on Aubrey Street. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Deer Lodge Centre Foundation, 2109 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3J 0L3 NEIL BARDAL INC. 949 - 2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 25, 2001