Irene Elliott

It is with great sadness the family of Irene Annikki Elliott, of Rainycrest Home for the Aged, announces her passing. She passed away peacefully at LaVerendrye General Hospital on October 8, 2015 at the age of 86.

Irene was born April 23, 1929 in Fort Frances, Ontario to Emilia (Rantala) and Kaarlo “Charles” Peltonen, living in town until the family moved to the farm in Crozier when she was four.

Her career began at fourteen years old, when she went to work at the peat moss plant. As a young adult she moved to Fort Frances and worked for the dry cleaners and after marriage, worked at Ross’ Tourist Camp on Clearwater Lake. She began her municipal career with the Township of Alberton and in the evenings completed correspondence courses from Queen’s University. When the family moved to Devlin she was offered the Clerk-Treasurer position with LaVallee Township. After twenty five years of municipal service, she retired in 1991.

On March 28, 1959 Irene married Lawrence Elliott at the Emo United Church. They spent their first year of marriage living in a little cabin on Clearwater Lake; moving to Crozier and eventually Devlin while raising their children Deborah and Gerald. Favourite family times were those spent on the lake, both Pipestone and Clearwater, until Lawrence’s sudden passing in 1982. In the mid-90’s Irene found herself back in Crozier, where she built her retirement home.

Irene was an avid reader and liked to keep current with the changing world. She was known for her baking, canning, gardening and sewing. Her parents instilled in her a love of the outdoors. Whether it was blueberry picking in the muskeg or hauling in a twenty five pound Muskie, this was where she was the happiest. In mid-life she took up curling which she enjoyed immensely until an injury prevented her from continuing with the sport. She had a deep love for animals and always had at least one four-legged companion by her side.

In 2006, Irene suffered a debilitating stroke and spent the last nine years of her life in Rainycrest. Though the stroke forever changed her life, these years were filled with laughter and countless examples of Irene’s strength and tenacity.

Irene was predeceased by her parents, husband Lawrence, brother Ed, and several brother and sister- in-laws.

She is survived by her son Jerry Elliott, and daughter Debbie (Chris) Scofield; grandchildren Kara Van Drunen (Eric Soderberg), Jaclyn Van Drunen (Del Penner), Christopher Scofield (Thor Swerdyliak); great grandchildren Jace, Luca, and Madi Soderberg and Hayden and Elliott Redekop; brother-in-laws Lyle Elliott, Cecil (Maxine) Elliott, Herb (Marvel) Elliott, Oscar Elliott, and sister-in-laws Josie Dyke, Dennice (Dwight) Meyers, Darlyne (Stu) Bruce, Judy Kaemingh, Norma Wolff, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday October 14, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Green Funeral Home with The Reverend MJ Leewis-Kirk AOJN officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday October 13, 2015 at Green Funeral Home from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Interment will take place at the Emo Cemetery.

In Memoriam donations may be made to Friends of Animals or Rainycrest Activation, in care of Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 3M8.

Good night Irene, good night Irene, we’ll see you in our dreams.