Irene Lal

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Irene Lal, originally of the Fiji Islands, who passed away peacefully in London, Ontario, on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the age of 77, following a lengthy illness.

Irene came to Canada in the early 1970s and built a life grounded in hard work and dedication, spending many years in the hospitality industry with Howard Johnson. She was a devoted and loving aunt to her three nephews, whom she cherished as her own, and held a special place in the hearts of many nieces, nephews, and extended family. She will be dearly missed by her grandchildren, family, and friends in London and St. Thomas, across the United States, and in the Fiji Islands and Australia.

Irene will be remembered for her kindness, warmth, and quiet strength. Her faith was an important source of comfort throughout her life, and she found great joy in time spent with family and friends. She had a passion for cooking and took pride in preparing meals for those she loved. She also enjoyed gardening and looked forward each spring to caring for her garden at her Grey Street apartment, where she lived for over 25 years. She appreciated life’s simple pleasures and leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity, and compassion.

While we mourn her loss, we take comfort in knowing she is now at peace. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the dedicated staff at the LHSC Cancer Centre, the paramedics and police officers who provided assistance in her time of need, and the compassionate nurses, PSWs, and doctors at Victoria Hospital who cared for her with dignity and kindness in her final days.

A religious funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Mount Pleasant Cemetery and Crematorium. Prayers and service will begin at 9:30 am in the chapel, followed by cremation with a livestream available at https://fweb.tv/251575.

"For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. It is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, and primeval. It is not slain when the body is slain." — Bhagavad Gita

Fond memories can be left at www.needhamfuneralhome.com.