FLORENCE (IRENE) BEST (JOHNSON)

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FLORENCE (IRENE) BEST (nee JOHNSON) It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of Irene Best in the late afternoon of June 4, 2005 at the age of 97. Irene is survived by and will be sadly missed by her three daughters, Barbara, Joan (Jack), Carole (Ron); her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Pouchie as she was fondly called, was so very proud of her family. She was especially proud of having a five generation family. She was predeceased by her parents Sam and Christine; husbands, Leonard Baker and Stephen Best; brother Clifford; three sons, Leonard, Robert and Reginald; sons-in-law, Bjorgvin, Herbert, and Boris; grandson Kingsley; great-grandson Damion; great-granddaughter Jocelyn; special friend Judd and best friend Evelyn. Irene was born on January 18, 1908 at the General Hospital, Winnipeg, MB. She lived for a time at Arnes and Hnausa, later Geysir, Stony Mountain and Winnipeg, MB. She was an extremely hard worker who took pride in the fact that she raised her five children as a single parent. Working at the Honeydew Cafe, the Eaton's Cafeteria and Royal Drugs, she even started her own business when she opened up a snack bar at the Duke of Kent Legion in Winnipeg, MB. She went on to work at the General Hospital Cafeteria until her retirement. Irene always found time to enjoy life and have a good time. She loved to dance, play bingo and cards. Pouchie especially enjoyed kicking her grandsons' and grandson-in-laws' butt in cribbage tournaments at the lake on the September long weekend. As a young mother Irene would take her children skating at the local rink. While the children skated she would venture off to watch a game or two of curling. One day some of the ladies asked her to join their league. So began Irene's love of the game. Her team won numerous trophies over the years and she kept the newspaper articles to prove it. She never lost her love of the game and continued to watch faithfully on T.V. every winter. One of the things we will always remember about Pouchie was how she took pride in her appearance. Her hair was always perfectly done and never would you find her without a string of pearls around her neck and earrings dangling from her ears. Even in the last week of her life when anyone came to visit she would comb her hair and put on her pearls. Our family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Vista Park Lodge for the excellent care and compassion shown to mom over the last couple of months. In accordance with Irene's wishes no formal funeral service will be held. A small family gathering will take place at a later date. Wojcik's All Beliefs Faiths Funeral Chapel Crematorium in charge of arrangements. Donations may be made in Irene's memory to a charity of one's choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 09, 2005