Parcourez la nécrologie de Irene Joan Lefort 1934 2024 résidant dans la province Nova Scotia pour le détail des funérailles
Irene Joan Lefort (nee MacDonald) March 3, 1934 – July
10, 2024
It
is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Irene Lefort, our
beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Born in 1934 in
East Bay, she was the second youngest of 9 children in the family of
the late James W. and Sadie MacDonald.
She will be
greatly missed and never forgotten by her family; her 7 children:
Lucille (Glen) Reid, Lower Sackville, Elaine (Bill) Morrow, Fall
River, Yvonne (David Duignan), Auckland, New Zealand, Francis (Dana
Marcon), Dartmouth, Rose Anne (Joshua) Davis, Lower Sackville, Gordon
(Joanne), Oakville, Ontario, and Denise (Edward Poole), Halifax. She
is also survived by her eleven grandchildren: Brad Reid (Catherine
Little), Mary Reid (Mouhamadou Samb), Kathryn (Braden) Urquhart,
Heather (Brian) Hines, Sarah (David) Faour, David (Meagan) Morrow,
Christopher Duignan, Luke Duignan, Myra Davis, Kathleen Davis, and
Patrick Lefort. She is also survived by eight great grandchildren;
Molly and Lucy Hines, Harriet and Arthur Faour, Henry, Jake, and Emmy
Urquhart, and Jack Morrow, as well as her sister Gloria (Alfred)
Youden, Sydney, her sister-in-law Mary MacDonald, Oshawa, Ontario, and
many nieces and nephews with roots in East Bay, Sydney, and Cheticamp.
Irene was predeceased by her husband Henry in 2002, her parents, three
brothers and four sisters, as well as twin infant daughters Mary
Elizabeth and Mary Eileen born prematurely in
1958.
Irene’s early
working days were in banking and credit unions, inspiring her to
pursue further studies in finance, accounting, and later in school
board management. After the family moved to Antigonish in 1974 from
East Bay, she worked in auditing with the Nova Scotia Department of
Education. This led to a position with the Antigonish District School
Board, where she eventually became the Chief Financial Officer. After
retirement, she spearheaded the development of the Diploma in Ministry
program at St. Francis Xavier University (St FX), a distance education
program for Catholic lay ministry in Canada. Her work as coordinator
of this program spanned several years and brought her immense pride
and satisfaction. Later, she served on the Board of Governors for St.
FX as well as on the board for the Credit Union Deposit Insurance
Corporation (CUDIC).
Irene was a
proud volunteer for Clan Donald in the Antigonish area, honouring her
Scottish roots. She served on the National Executive for Clan Donald
for three years, was editor of the national newsletter and was active
at provincial and local levels.
Women’s causes were especially dear to
Irene’s heart. She was a founder of the Naomi Society for
Victims of Violence in Antigonish. In 1978, she was appointed to the
Nova Scotia Advisory Council for the Status of Women as a founding
member.
Closer to
home, Irene was active in various councils and committees in the
parish; training Lectors, bookeeping at the Opportunity Shop, and
volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul.
For 71 years,
Irene’s most dedicated efforts went to her beloved Catholic
Women’s League. She served as Diocesan and provincial president, and
later as National President of the League from 1986 to1988. She was a
firm believer in the values and principles of the CWL. Her experiences
with this organization gave her the strength and faith to become a
leader in every part of her life, and also to develop lifelong
friendships with strong, faith-filled
women.
Even as a
working mom, Irene found time to study part-time at Xavier College and
at St. FX, attaining her Bachelor of Arts from St. FX in 2005 at the
age of 71. She was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from
St. FX in 2004. In 1978, she was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee
Silver medal to recognize her many years of community
service.
Irene loved
her family and took great pride in all of her children, their spouses,
and her grandchildren, many of whom attended St. FX and lived with her
in Antigonish over the years. She was a keen traveler, whether it be
to western Canada, Ontario, Europe or the Holy Land. Irene crossed the
equator 10 times in her lifetime to visit her family in New
Zealand.
Irene was an
excellent storyteller and historian and recorded her MacDonald family
history by authoring a book which debuted at her family reunion in
2018. She had a sharp memory and loved to share humorous stories of
her life, even in her final days. She will be greatly missed by her
beloved nieces and nephews, her loyal friends in Cape Breton and
Antigonish and her special friends in the book club and in her
apartment building.
Irene’s strong
faith in God continued to sustain her after a cancer diagnosis in
2023. She asked for, accepted and endured the treatments that extended
her time with us. She taught her family and friends so much over the
years. Her final lesson was to teach us how to die with dignity,
courage and grace, a true witness to her faith to the very
end.
During her
time in palliative care, we again witnessed her genuine concern and
interest in others as she formed friendships with the nurses and
staff, humbly accepting their care. Irene’s family is very grateful to
the Palliative Care Unit staff at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital whose
care and concern were above and beyond. We extend a special thank you
to Dr. Jane Anne Howard, her family doctor, who not only provided
excellent professional care, but true human compassion and friendship.
Thank you to Dr. Katharina Kieser, her oncologist in Halifax, whose
care and treatment extended Irene’s time with us. Thank you
to Dr. Phillip Cooper, Father Tom MacNeil, Father Gary MacPherson, and
Sister Catherine Ann MacGillivray for their spiritual support during
Irene’s final journey. Thank you to friends and family for
your prayers and support throughout this time. We are forever
grateful. We celebrate the 90 years Irene was with us, and a life
well-lived.
And
let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever
near. Phil. 4-5.
In lieu of
flowers, donations can be made to The Antigonish Town & County
Palliative Care Society, Box 996, Antigonish, NS B2G 2S3 or to the St.
Vincent de Paul Society at St. Ninian’s Parish, Box
1628,Antigonsih, NS B2G 2L8.
Funeral
arrangements under the care of C. L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College
St Antigonish. Visitation: Tuesday July 16th 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00;
Mass of Christian Burial: July 17th 11:00 St. Ninian’s
Cathedral, Antigonish. The funeral Mass will be livestreamed and
available on this website. On line condolences:
www.clcurry.com.
1934 2024
Décès pour la Ville Antigonish, Province Nova Scotia
avis deces Irene Joan Lefort 1934 2024
nécrologie Irene Joan Lefort 1934 2024
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