IRENE FRANCES DOBSON

(née BURGESS)

February 27, 1933 - May 28, 2023

Irene passed with dignity and grace surrounded by her family on Sunday, May 28, 2023 at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the golden age of 90.

 

She is survived by her sister Pat (Grant) her eight children Ron (Charmaine), Gary (Pierrette), Kathy (Mike), Cheryl, Shawn (Teresa), Todd (Janice), Pam, Brad, 15 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and growing.

 

Irene grew up in New Osgood, Saskatchewan. Her childhood in the 30’s and 40’s on the farm was a simple lifestyle where she lived off the land with loving parents and 7 siblings. She had a special love of horses and had her very own horse before the family moved to Aldergrove, BC when she was 12 years old. There she enjoyed softball in high school and worked side jobs like picking berries for extra cash.

 

After graduation she carried on to join the Air Force to become a meteorologist which brought her to Ottawa where she went on to marry and have 8 children. The final relocation brought her to Winnipeg where she planted her roots and lived out her life.

 

After her time in the Air Force, Irene worked decades in hospitality as a cocktail waitress, and eventually the dining room manager at the International Inn hotel. You could see her at the Inn or run into her at one of her side jobs, whether that was slinging drinks at the Silver Heights Restaurant or working a banquet at the Viscount Gort Hotel. Irene made some lasting friendships in hospitality, some even considered extended family.

 

Irene was a dedicated mom who worked hard to support her family. She could stretch a penny a mile long, on her work breaks she would study the horse racing program and usually won enough to cover her utility bills.

 

Irene loved gardening, bowling, attending the racetrack, her trips to South Beach Casino, her cruises, watching her sports, (she was an avid a hockey fan), watching the Golden Girls, Jeopardy & keeping her mind sharp playing Scrabble, and working on Sudoku and crosswords puzzles.

 

Her greatest pride was her family. Her grand and great grandchildren brought her much joy- her eyes would light up whenever she saw them. It wasn’t often that she didn’t have a child on her lap or in her arms.

 

Irene had many admirable qualities to her. She was a strong-willed woman, fiercely independent, had a quick wit, and never shied away from saying what was on her mind, she would literally tell you how it is. She shared many memorable adventures over the years with family and friends.

 

Irene will live on through her family, in the memories we share and the qualities we’ve been blessed to have learned from her and carry on with us. There is a little bit of Irene in all of us.