Mabel Irene Embury

Following a brief illness at the age of 104 years, Irene passed away peacefully at the North Okanagan Hospice House on Friday March 3rd, 2023. Irene was born on the Barr family farm in the Belmont district of Manitoba on October 24th, 1918. Irene married Murray Elvin Embury her loving husband for more than 58 years on February 25th, 1943. After living in Estevan Saskatchewan and Canmore Alberta, Irene and Murray moved to retire in Vernon in October 1980. Irene was predeceased by Murray on March 1st, 2001 and, her daughters Patricia and Betty. Irene was the youngest and last survivor of five children born to Mary Angelina and Walter Barr: sister Laura and, brothers Oscar, Ernest and Elgin. Irene will be fondly remembered for her keen sense of humour, her lifelong love of music and dancing, playing her organ, gardening, cardplaying and homemaking. She was a light-hearted and gentle soul always showing unwavering respect towards her family members, friends, neighbours and acquaintances. She was a loyal and faithful friend who was loved by everyone that knew her. Above all, she was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, wife, mother, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother. Irene is survived by her daughter Lois (Terry) Curtis of Estevan, son Mervyn (Peggy) of Ottawa, son Barry (Lani) Faribault Minnesota, son Blair of Calgary, grandchildren Michael (Annette), Deanna (Bayne), Daniel (Anda), Lindsay (Colin), Benjamin (Kristin), Teegan, great-grandchildren Ken, Lorne, Rob, Justin, Kayla, Kyle, Connor, Quinn, Maxwell and Lydia. Her nieces, one nephew and all the ‘very special friends’ that endeared her life will lovingly remember Irene. She will live in our hearts forever. On behalf of the Embury family, heartfelt thanks to the magnificent staff and residents at the Chartwell Carrington Place Retirement Residence who befriended Irene with open arms from the day she moved there on August 24th, 2018. Last but certainly not least, very special thanks to the caring and compassionate staff at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital, North Okanagan Hospice House and Interior Health Authority.

A Memorial Service will be held in the chapel of the Pleasant Valley Funeral Home (4303 Pleasant Valley Road, Vernon, BC V1T 4M4) at 2:00 PM on Wednesday July 19th, 2023. After the service, there will be an interment at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery columbarium followed with a reception at the Pleasant Valley Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Irene’s memory to the North Okanagan Hospice Society (https://nohs.ca) or a charity of choice will be appreciated. Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to: [email protected].