Having led a full and rich life with the love of her large family and many friends, Irene passed away peacefully at the age of 89.
Irene was born in Taber, Alberta, the first-born daughter of Polish immigrant farmers. Industrious and resourceful, they toiled long, hot days harvesting sugar beets with the infant Irene beside them in an apple box.
In 1931, the family moved to Coleman, Alberta where Irene’s father found work as a coal miner. When Irene began school, she quickly learned English and discovered her love of learning. She enjoyed reading and happily used her allowance to purchase books.
The family settled in Calgary, Alberta in 1944. During her high school years, Irene aspired to become a nurse, but her focus changed in the winter of 1949 when she met the love of her life, Jim. Romance ensued, followed by a loving marriage of 61 years.
In 1953, Irene and Jim moved to Vancouver Island and eventually settled in Victoria, BC to raise their children. Irene and Jim’s home became a favourite meeting place for family, where Irene hosted countless family events and always made room at the table for another chair.
Irene was an exemplary parent. She was non-judgemental, loved her children unconditionally, and was a role model of kindness and compassion. Each family member knew they were special in her eyes. Irene also had a remarkable talent for making friends. She was a good listener and cared deeply about others. Many saw Irene as a role model for aging well. When Jim passed away in 2011, Irene was grateful for the good friends she’d made over the years and seldom turned down an invitation for an outing.
“A rare, special person, Irene will be missed by the many who knew and loved her”
Irene was presdeceased by her loving parents, Joseph and Jenny Samczyk, and her siblings Edward Samczyk and Connie Boyd. She is survived by her children Barbara Botten (Robert), Debbie Sawin (Gary, deceased), Shelley Forrester (Barry), Jamey Vanyo (Lynne) and Kathy Saunders. Irene also leaves her grandchildren Renita, Cherise, Amelia, Matt, Nick, Shannon, Jeremy, Nathan, Rob, Brenda, Janet, and Steven; great-grandchildren Willow, Shyla, Ashly, Alice, Remy, Odessa and Ryker; and numerous cousins, nieces, in-laws, and friends.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph the Worker Parish on Friday, August 23, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Alfredo Monacelli presiding. A reception will follow in the Church hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Victoria Hospice, 4th Floor, Richmond Pavilion, 1952 Bay Street, Victoria, BC, V8R 1J8.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Cindy Samczyk
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Sherry Laface My condolences to the family. Irene was a wonderful lovely person. I enjoyed the times we spent together, sometimes doing a little craft or just talking. Irene loved my daughter as though she were one of her own grandchildren. I remember when my daughter came home with her report cards she always had to show both Irene and Jim. Irene always enjoyed having my daughter over for visits. I am very grateful to Irene when I suddenly needed someone to take my daughter. We moved away a few years ago but kept in touch through Christmas cards and phone calls. I will miss you Irene
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Anne K. Powell My sincere condolences to all of Irene’s family. She was such an inspiration to so many who knew her and I will miss her kind greeting to me whenever she saw me at aerobics class..”hello Anne with an “e”
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Shelley Cochran My condolences to all of the family at this great loss. Mrs Vanyo was such an incredible woman and a huge role model in my life. She took me in with open arms every time I came to her home. I even remember that I didn’t knock, I would just walk in and go upstairs to see her and Mr Vanyo sitting in there chairs visiting. I decided at a young age that I wanted to be just like her when I grew up, so I ventured out to have many children and try to model what I saw in this amazing person. Her legacy lives on in my memories of the family home that she built. Thank you for everything you gave; may you rest in perfect peace with your beloved Jim. God Bless You for your example of Jesus on earth❤️
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Ian Greene and Eilonwy Morgan We are fortunate to have been able to meet Irene several times over the years. We so very much enjoyed the stories about her love, perseverance and wisdom from Barbara and Bob, for example, the stories about her gardening as a way of dealing with stress. We are thinking of you at this sad time. Eilonwy and Ian
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Lynn West It was with sadness that I learned of the death of Irene. She was simply a lovely person, a good friend and a wonderful Mom and Grandmother. Irene was always smiling and I enjoyed my visits with her very much. She always made me feel so welcome and I enjoyed our talks on a variety of subjects. I have felt so fortunate to be able to spend some special time with Irene and I am going to miss her. My heart goes out to her family who have lost such an important person in their lives. A person who loved them all so very much.
I Was so sorry to hear about the passing of “auntie Irene” . I miss all of you and wish things could have been different. Irene and Jim were always good to me . Take care my cousins.