Obituary of Irene Dunwoody

Irene Dunwoody passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 22, 2013 at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital in Cranbrook. She had been a resident at Joseph Creek Village for the past year.

Irene was predeceased by her loving husband William Dunwoody who passed away August, 2011. They had been married for 64 years. Irene was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on December 25, 1926 to Caswell and Mary Phillips and spent all her years of schooling in Winnipeg. Upon graduation, she worked as a Dental Assistant until she married Bill on September 9, 1947 and moved to Vancouver, B.C. Prior to the children arriving, Irene worked for a medical clinic. She moved to Cranbrook in 1968 with her husband to work in a new business venture. In 1982, Irene and her husband moved to Grande Prairie, AB after buying-out a much bigger operation similar to their Cranbrook business. They sold their business in 1990 and retired back to Cranbrook. Irene was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church as an Eucharist Minister and a member of the Catholic Women's League (CWL). She was also an active member of the ACT/UCT, Cranbrook Ladies Golf Club, Mission Hills Golf Club, serving in an executive position for many years. She was also an active member of the Cancer Society participating in meetings, visitation to cancer patients at the hospital, running/walking in relays raising funds for friends. She also started a volunteer group to visit and work at the hospital with chemo patients. Irene was devoted to her volunteer work.

Another passion of Irene's was the love of her garden and flowers, giving her great pleasure. She loved the outdoors spending many years of camping, fishing, water skiing, golfing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and curling. Irene loved to travel and spent many winters in Arizona upon retirement.

Irene was a devoted wife and mother. She leaves to cherish her memory: daughter Nancy (Wilf) Richter of Calgary, son Douglas (predeceased June 23, 2008), daughter-in-law Jane Dunwoody of Calgary, son John (Sue-Ann) Dunwoody of Melbourne, Australia, six grandchildren, Tanys (Luigi) Betuzzi of Calgary, Mark Richter of Calgary, Erica and Jennifer Dunwoody of Calgary, Taylor and Kiera Dunwoody of Melbourne, Australia, her sister Neata McAllister of Murrieta, California, as well as many nieces and nephews through out Canada. Irene was predeceased by her parents, her sister Merle and her two brothers Eldon and Ivan.

A Funeral Mass for Irene will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Cranbrook, on June 29, 2013 at 12:00 pm, with a reception following the service. Her Interment will then follow in Fort Steele Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Canadian Cancer Society, 19 - 9th Avenue South, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 2L9.

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.

Condolences for the family can be offered at:

www.mcphersonfh.com