Irene Jones passed away quietly in the wee hours of July 26, 2023, almost 3 weeks after her 97th birthday. She was born and raised in Winnipeg, the fourth child of Edward and Louisa Whitcher. Her older brothers were George, John, and William.
Mom married our dad, Cy (Ormond) Jones, June 9, 1950. Their life together was full of laughter and love. They lived long enough to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary.
It was not until Mom and Dad were looking for house plans for their first home that Mom discovered drafting. Dad built her a drafting table and set it up in our living room right by the big window as it had the perfect light. When we moved to Victoria Mom designed and helped build our home in Gordon Head. For several years she worked for the provincial government, the only woman “draftsman” as, at that time girls were not allowed to take drafting at school. When computers became the new drafting tool Mom was intrigued by the change and took all the courses she needed to get her up to speed. At the time of Mom’s retirement, she was drafting for Wescraft Windows.
Mom was a creative person who sewed her own clothes, and most of ours when we were children. She knit, quilted, dabbled in paints, and always had a project. We all have at least one “Nana knit” to keep us warm and cozy.
Mom and Dad were real free birds in retirement. They began on foot with backpacks, later driving RVs, and eventually moved on to bus tours. They travelled all over Europe, and encouraged us to travel as well.
Mom was very even tempered and calm. She basically led by example, but was always approachable if we needed to talk. She laughed at our dad’s jokes no matter how many times he repeated them. She saw the best in people. Mom set us free to find our own lives no matter how far that would take us. She was our place of peace in troubled times.
Predeceased by her husband Cy and her son Kelly, she is missed by her daughters Margaret Linda (John), Heather (Tony), Sandra (Ben), her daughter in-law Carolyn (Harry), her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
We would like to thank the staff at Glenwarren who cared for our Mom with such kindness.
A Celebration of Life and reception in honour of Irene to be held on Saturday October 14, 2023 at 2:00pm at McCall Gardens Funeral Home.
To view the service, please click the video below:
Condolences may be offered to family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Tammy Roper
I feel honoured to have known this talented, kind and beautiful woman. I wish the world were filled with Irene’s. I had such admiration for them both and believe they have an a love and spirit that will live on.