Sister-in-Law

From the first day that I met you.
I knew you'd be my friend
I knew that I could count on you,
No matter what life sends.

You always had time to listen
And time to give and share;
By all your words and actions,
You showed you really cared.

You were so very special.
It showed in all you did.
I found a special Friendship.
And I gained a sister too.

As a Sister-in-Law you were great.
As a friend, you were the best.
To have you in our family
Made us all so truly blessed.

Aunt Irene was someone very special to me. I have many cherished memories of growing up with Aunt Irene. Our family events were never huge events, having a small immediate family, but that doesn't mean we didn't look forward to them. Looking back it's incredible how Aunt Irene and Uncle Robert were at every milestone to cheer us on and celebrate with us. I could always count on seeing Aunt Irene at every holiday or event, from christening, grade 5 graduations and Chief Scout awards, to graduating high school. We were well trained to seek out extra tickets!

I remember that Aunt Irene constantly made me feel very supported and loved, and I fondly remember how she always had a huge smile when talking with my brothers and I about our interests. Sheunfailinglyshowed great excitement in our interests, such as playing music, and had seemly endless knowledge of all of them. I remember several holidays where we took such an interest in the subjects Aunt Irene would tell us about,such as calligraphy, or reflexology,that it practically took over the evening. We were so excited when Uncle Robert and Aunt Irene arrived on holidays; we would come running from wherever we were when the door bell rang to greet them at the door.

These are just a few of many fond memories from my childhood that was certainly enriched and full of love thanks to Aunt Irene, her loving cheerful presence will certainly be missed. I know I will forever cherish these memories.

I want to comment on some of the photos in the slide show...because they reflect different aspects of Irene.  You may not know that Irene was a talented photographer...I didn't know until one day...When were living in the bungalow above Second Beach...I was reading and happy to be doing nothing...Irene comes up to me and says we have to much time on our hands....I like photography...Lets buy some cameras and take photography lessons...I said OK...we can do it tomorrow...Nice try Robert...Next thing I know...I am being hustled out the door...but I like having to much time on my hands!
So the portrait you see before you (blowing dandelion)is Irene's composition...she had me stand with the dandelion...Irene adjusted the settings on the SLR then we switched positions...I had the demanding job of pushing the shutter button. The final photograph in the slide show is also Irene's composition with Irene in the photo...I was a real good shutter pusher...the extant of my photographic skills. The first photograph in the slide show is a birthday card created by my sister for Irene and the photo on the card is Irene in motion...which I thought perfectly captured the spirit of Irene.

Auntie Irene.........You were such a beautiful and loving soul!The times we did spend together were just full of laughter and so much love. My condolences to you Robert and all my cousins. Auntie Irene will be so missed by you all and of course the granchildren and great grandchildren. I know she will be watching over each and everyone of us.Much love to everyone  Lee Ann Hamilton Sylvan Lake Alberta xoxoxo

I wish that I could tell you exactly what it means, to have a special sister who has always shared in all our families dreams.

Lise Ensom

Deepest condolences to Robert and the rest of Irene's family, Ill always remember her as a loving happy woman who was deeply interested in others, she had a warm heart and embraced life with enthusiasm and an extremely positive attitude, although we didn't see each other often she always was interested in how I was and made me feel comfortable.  She had a long full life and was so happy being with Robert.

Irene, you were a very loving, caring and special sister. Your journey, through life was not an easy one. You learned to overcome at a very early age. Your love and your spirit, shone like a beacon in the night. Bobby, and I always admired and loved you very much. You are with Mom, Dad, and Bobby now in God's eternal home. Rest in peace, my dear sister, I love you and will miss you forever. Hughie.

Heart felt condolences to Robert and all of Auntie Irene's family and friends. I didn't spend a lot of time with aunt Irene but the times I did were always cherished and she left a wonderful impression on me, as she did with so many people. Irene made the world a better place and will be sadly missed by us all. Good night Auntie Irene.

What Can I say...The Centre of my universe is gone....Irene was my wife...my lover...my friend...she gave my life meaning and purpose.
I was a quiet...shy person...a loner. I know its hard to believe...but ask my sister Lise, she will tell you so.  Lise tried to be a match maker without success. I never expected to find love, let alone get married...and Never to someone as breath taking as Irene. 
When I met Irene...my life was transformed for the better on so many levels...
She made me a better man and taught me so much about love and acceptance. 
Irene expanded my horizons...she was curious about everything, she enjoyed learning...exploring the physical world and the spiritual...Anyone speaking with Irene for the first time would be left amazed by her range of interests and knowledge.
Early on after we met she told me her name meant PEACE...Well I never new a less peaceful person...Hers was questing spirit and mind.
For someone who was not religious in the sense of following a particular faith...she was very spiritual.
Irene loved her children...and whenever possible...she would do everything she could to make them happy and successful...she adored her grandchildren and nephews...she never got tired of being with them...playing with them...filling there minds with wonder about the world...she encouraged their imagination...helping them build the worlds they created during play....she made them see how special they were to her and to the world...No one spread more love in one lifetime than Irene....I was very privileged to have her love.
I always believed that if you love someone, you help them grow even at the risk of them growing away from you...You had to keep falling in love with the person growing and changing before your eyes...sharing in their journey...Irene was like a beautiful crystal growing and developing new facets...The older she got the more glorious she became. A crystal of unimaginable beauty and depth...
Now that crystal is shattered like my soul.

auntie Irene..... my memories of you start with a family trip to Scotland when I was a wee lad. I remember all the cousins and the laughs and  the love of an extended family.  Years later I was married, my wife Donna and I moved west and Aunt Irene and Robert opened their home to us to help in our new transition into West Coast living! We were grateful for this family love..... but what I'm most grateful for is your Love and admiration, compassion and mentorship that you gave to your little sister... Chrissy ... my Mom., we love you Auntie Irene. Arthur and Donna Stewart

Today we celebrate your amazing life and all the lives you touched!  We love you and hope you are smiling down on us today as we come together to mourn the loss of our Gran

Irene, It has been said that it takes a minute to find something special in a person, an hour to appreciate them, and a day to love them, but it takes an entire lifetime to forget them. I will not forget the times you welcomed me like family and the many stories of the vibrant life you led. Rest In Peace.

Mum, I always thought that you would be there forever, but your passing has confirmed the eternal truth that no one lasts forever. 
You will be missed. 
Tommy

Gran ❤ I love you so much and will miss you dearly- I'll never forget how excited I was to come visit you and Robert at the concession. Some of my fondest memories as a child are of me dragging you around that park lol.. I'm so glad I got to squeeze you and see you smile one last time. With all my heart, Nicky

Dearest gran,

Although we never spent much time as i wish we did, you will always be a big part of my heart, i always looked forward to your phonecall every year on christmas, and i'm also thankful for the gifts you sent me, i will never forget visiting you in canada and finally getting to meet you after only seeing pictures and speaking over the phone, although it was a long time ago, i remember you made great food, and i loved all of your craft work, especially the blankets!! It really inspired me to become more artistic!! I also remember your huge book collection which i loved looking through, i will miss you gran, you were really an amazing woman RIP 
Love erika 
Xxxc

Gran, i will remember you as a fun-loving, kind and funny woman. My wish would be to have spent more time with you. Thanks for making my first holiday abroad so special. Miss you always, love you Gran. 

Rest in peace xxx

My dear Gran
Although we didn't get to spend as much time with you as we wanted,we will always have the fondest memories of you. Christmas of 94 when we came to visit you in Canada was one of the most  memorable holidays .I will always remember the pantry cupboard you had in the basement full of jars of jam and salsa but me and Jamie never knew what they were so we thought they might of been your secret magic potions lol. Then you came to visit us in Scotland the year after, by this time Erika was born . I remember you were showing my mum how to cook a beef stroganoff and i believe you inspired her to make the lovely meals she makes today. Those are just some of the childhood memories i have of you and i am glad i got to visit you in my teens and spend my 16th birthday with you, there is so much more i could say but the most important thing is that you will be sorely missed by so many, you have left behind a wonderful family that I'm so proud to be a part of. I will miss you gran, all my love Emma xxxxxxx

Rest in peace Gran, you've left behind a fantastic legacy which you will live on through.

Thank you for my wonderful childhood memories in Canada and when you last visited us here in Scotland. I'll never forget the first time I tried maple syrup when you made those wonderful pancakes for breakfast (think it was Christmas 94') - this started my addiction to pankcake breakfasts! Or the long, muddy walk that Emma and I dragged you on when you visited Scotland the following year - sorry for getting your lovely coat dirty! You were always so fashionable, even on the muddy walks!     

I only wish I got to see you one last time and made more memories as an adult, I'm sorry I didn't come to visit but I'm very grateful that I at least I got to speak to you on the phone in later years. 

I'll always remember your beautiful smile which has been passed on to my beautiful daughter, Nora - I'll show her all of the photos and videos and make sure she gets to know her Great Gran in years to come.

You will be sorely missed. Sending all my love to the Duncan clan here and in Canada at this sad time.

Jamie xxx

The first time i met Irene was in Stanley Park, she was in a wheel chair with a broken leg and very frustrated, we spent a lot of time together and got on so well, she was just a bundle of energy, knowledge, wisdom and so loving, she taught me some things about her hand writing analysis, i had to write something for her to analyze, that was scary, but she only told me the good things lol.
I couldn't have asked for a better mother in law, she was always full of praise and kindness.
We will all miss that wonderfull laugh and sence of humour, especially when she broke into her Scottish accent.
Love Hazel xxx

It's so sad to lose my beautiful Auntie Irene. I remember so many times with her over all my life - at her house in Chippewa with all my cousins (who I gave chicken pox to, I think!); in Scotland in 1972 all summer, eating fish and chips from the shop; going to the movies together in Toronto - she got me into One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest when I was 12, even though the ticket seller said it might "damage" me; I remember seeing What's Up Doc with her, she laughed so hard I thought she'd fall out of her seat!

Later trips out west - I spent the whole summer of 1979 in Vancouver, working in the concession with her and Robert, going on trips around the province, over to salt spring island, to White Rock, to Seattle. We had a great time whatever we were doing, I was lucky to have her as my auntie. We share a lot of traits - love to shop, love good food. I hope I also share her generosity, kindness and loving nature. I have the privilege of her name as well. love to you Auntie Irene, xoxoxo, we will miss you so much.

Irene

OBITUARIO

Irene Duncan

8 diciembre, 1927 – 13 abril, 2017

Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home

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