Parcourez la nécrologie de Irene Mabel Toews December 29 1943
March 7 2025 résidant dans la province Manitoba pour le détail des funérailles
Irene Mabel Toews Obituary
In a home full of family, Irene Toews (nee Joyce), 81, of Steinbach, Manitoba, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Friday, March 7, 2025.
Irene was born in Steinbach, the only daughter of Ed and Doris (nee Howard) Joyce. Irene grew close to her brothers Ron, Howard (who passed 2008), Lorne and Gerald getting up to shenanigans walking the few miles between Giroux School and the family farm located just northeast of the village.
As a young woman Irene moved to Winnipeg and worked part-time while attending Success Commercial College half-days. Upon graduating she started her long working career as an administrative assistant, the majority of which was spent at the RCMP detachment in Steinbach where she shared many laughs with her great friend Peggy.
Irene married Bill Toews in the centennial year of 1967. After an adventurous honeymoon in the summer of ’69 that took them across Europe, the couple moved to the family farm just outside of Mitchell where together they raised three children: Michael, Stephen and Lara. This rambunctious home was filled to bursting with the love and laughter of a wonderful mix of always-welcome family and friends. Sadly, Irene’s wonderful husband Bill passed away in 1989. Shortly afterwards Irene’s sons went off into the wider world and Irene certainly missed them the next few years while daughter Lara finished her high school. But it was during this time the uniquely beautiful relationship between mother and daughter blossomed.
Irene’s sons ultimately settled in the Yukon, but not before Irene and her boyfriend Jack Letkeman went on a special road trip to Dawson City, Yukon, where they decided to elope and were married at Diamond Tooth Gertie’s – Can-Can girls in attendance – on May Long weekend 1995! Irene & Jack spent the next 25 years together putting sweat and tears into the house and property just southwest of La Broquerie until they moved to Steinbach in 2020. In town they very much appreciated their wonderful new neighbours – although they were looking forward to buying a couple of scooters and terrorizing the neighbourhood. Unfortunately this was not to be as Jack passed away in 2020.
Irene and Jack loved visits from the kids and grandkids, be they hers or his, but the two of them also loved road trips, including several visits to the Yukon to see her sons and their wives Meera and Clara. Common stops along the way to visit family & friends included Gull Lake, Medicine Hat and Fox Creek. Irene’s visits north only increased as grandkids Solstice, Ona, Manas, Ada and Aleix came along. Irene loved travelling and hearing stories of her far-flung children’s and grandchildren’s travels, but she did admit that when Lara and husband Lindsay moved to Winnipeg after 13 years in Taiwan it was, ‘one of the highlights of my life!’ Irene was thrilled by the way all her children and grandchildren, ‘have become such independent, upstanding adults.’
Irene lived on her own the last few years, but she was never alone! Special thanks to all her friends at Toastmasters and the Steinbach United Church. Life-long friends Peggy and Nancy, as well as Jack’s daughter Brenda, were frequent visitors. Irene also very much enjoyed the company of her brothers & sisters-in-law; special thanks to Emelyn for so often making the trip from Brandon. The constant visits, be they in-person or via FaceTime (especially Maria), from extended family and friends, be they local or from across the country, were a great pleasure. But without a doubt Irene’s favourite time of all was the notorious Thursday night supper she would host each week. Although many gathered to sit at her table, the guests of honour were always Peggy & Henry, Ron & Janet and Lorne & Lillian.
Irene was a powerful woman of beauty, grace and dignity and was deeply loved and admired by all who knew her. Near the end of her days she wrote to all her loved ones, ‘Farewell, adios. Cry for a little while but not too long. Until we meet again…I love you.’
Many thanks to the care and compassion of everyone who was part of her medical and home care team.
There is no ceremony in the near future, but a celebration of life is being planned for the spring or early summer.
That said, Irene’s children will be at her house in Steinbach until the middle of March and, as always, friends and family are always welcome.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Irene, please visit our floral store.
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December 29 1943
March 7 2025
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Irene Mabel Toews December 29 1943
March 7 2025..
Décès pour la Ville: Steinbach, Province: Manitoba
avis deces Irene Mabel Toews December 29 1943
March 7 2025
necrologie Irene Mabel Toews December 29 1943
March 7 2025
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Irene Mabel Toews December 29 1943
March 7 2025 et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.