Irene Kwong

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Irene Kwong (nee Dayton) in South Surrey, at the age of 97 years. Irene was predeceased by her husband James Kwong, parents Wong Shee and Lim Soon Dayton, brother Bill, and sisters Marjorie, Dorothy, Mary, Amelia and Ivy. She is survived by her daughter Terry (John), grandsons Ryan (Kay), Jay (Carine) and Mark (Koreena), her beloved great grandchildren Kai, Kingston, Reya, Kien and Micah, and many nieces and nephews.

Born in Calgary on November 22, 1926, Irene spent the majority of her life there and was a die hard Calgarian right to the very end.

Irene and James were married in Calgary on November 21, 1950 and they welcomed their only child Terry in December, 1951. One month later, they relocated to Valleyfield, Quebec where James was working at his brother Larry's restaurant. When they moved back to Calgary in 1954, Irene helped her parents in their Riverside grocery store, which has become a permanent exhibit in Gasoline Alley at Heritage Park. She was a stay at home Mom, always there for Terry after school and didn't work outside the home until after Terry was married.

Irene got a job at Cavalier China and Gift Shop in the Westbrook Mall and proved herself to be a conscientious employee with great work ethic. She was eventually promoted to the downtown location as manager, continuing to work there for several years.

Irene was very active her entire adult life. She enjoyed curling and ice skating, which she continued to do well into her 80's. Irene and James absolutely loved travelling to Hawaii, especially Kaanapali Beach, Maui. After moving to Langley she enjoyed going to the casino with her Renaissance friends.

When James's health began to decline, Irene spent many hours at his nursing home, helping not only her husband, but the other residents as well, many of whom were probably younger than she was. She continued to volunteer for many years after James passed in 1998.

Irene was fiercely independent and lived by herself in their family home until 2011, when her family finally convinced her to move closer to them in Langley, BC. She enjoyed Independent Living at Langley's Chartwell Renaissance Retirement Residence until health issues required her to move to Long Term Care at Chartwell Crescent Gardens in 2021.

Many thanks to the amazing staff at Chartwell Crescent Gardens for providing Irene with such excellent care over the last 3 and a half years. She loved teasing and joking with staff and could give as good as she got.

Irene will be remembered as a strong, feisty woman, meticulously coiffed, and a bit of a fashionista in her day. She will be missed by all who knew her.

A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations to Autism BC are greatly appreciated. www.autismbc.ca