Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Alberta for funeral details
Laura Irene Appleyard Obituary
Born November 12, 1927, entered into rest May 6, 2024.
Laura was born to Andrew and Edna Hutcheson in North Dorchester Twp, Middle County, Ontario. She was the youngest and had 5 big brothers, Murray, Bruce, Nelson, Thomas and Robert ‘Shirley’. Her brothers refused to call her Laura, they liked Irene better, and so she became known as Irene. After her mother’s passing, Irene took on the role of caregiver for her family, displaying resilience and strength from a young age. She worked with Chrysler and Bell Telephone in various locations in Ontario, before moving to Calgary in 1967.
During her time in Calgary she met an amazing family, who were from the Carbon area. They had a friend who required a housekeeper and nanny to help him, after his wife passed away. Irene packed up herself and her daughter and moved to Carbon, to be the nanny and housekeeper for George Appleyard. In 1970, she married George, and they blended their families together.
Irene embraced the farm lifestyle, she was diligent about ensuring that the house was clean and food was prepared, plentiful and on time for the farm workers. If you stopped in, you would be sure to be fed a meal including dessert. She was a master of ‘waste not want not’ and was able to make a meal out of almost anything and leftovers were never thrown away, they were made into something else for the next meal. She was an amazing pie maker, her pastry was so flakey, and she never used pie filling from a can, only fresh fruit.
In 1975, Irene and George built a home in Carbon, where she resided until 2009. She spent many hours out in that yard tending to the garden and the flower beds. In 2009, she made the move to Strathmore, to Lambert Village, where she resided until her passing. She became very involved in the community there, as well as going to the Strathmore Happy Gang to play cards. She was always very involved with the United Church in Carbon and then in Strathmore, being a contributing member of the Pastoral Care Board in Strathmore, up until her passing, as well as participating with the women’s groups.
Her best memories were when the family would all come home for special occasions, she loved having everyone there for a meal and visiting. Her greatest joy was watching her grandchildren grow, and as they grew, she loved watching them become parents to her great-grandchildren.
Irene’s adventurous spirit led her to travel far and wide with George, including many winters spent in Hawaii, creating cherished memories that would last a lifetime. Together, they embraced the joy of dance and the camaraderie of square dancing.
Irene was predeceased, by her parents, Edna and Andrew, her brothers, Thomas, Nelson, Murray, Bruce and Shirley, her grandson, Dana, her daughter-in-law, Judy, her son, Ian, her husband, George, her sisters in law, Kathleen, Jean and Joy and all of George’s brothers and sisters in law.
Irene is survived by her beautiful family, Don (Troy, Rachelle, Kenzie, Rylee, Cadence and Sarah), Doug (Beth; Jacqueline, Paul, Zoe and Sullivan; Tyler, Bryanne, Aviya and George; Sheldon, Lora, Elliot and Dawson), Sharon, Sandy (Brandy and London), Sheri (Tim; Austin, Seltic, Ryker; Brandon, Amber, Bennett; Stephanie and Clayton), and her sister-in-law Marjorie. She was so excited to meet the 2 newest additions to Sheri’s Family, coming this summer. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who she loved so much. Family was everything to her. Irene’s legacy of love and kindness will continue to inspire all who knew her. She left this world the same way she lived in it, peacefully, gently, fiercely independent and on her own terms.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Irene’s name, to the RMHC (Ronald McDonald House) rmhcalberta.org/donate/financial-gifts/ as a grandson and 2 great grandson’s families utilized ‘The House’, and it was a great source of comfort when needed.
November 12 1927
May 6 2024
Death notice for the town of: Strathmore, Province: Alberta
death notice Laura Irene Appleyard November 12 1927
May 6 2024
obituaries notice Laura Irene Appleyard November 12 1927
May 6 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Laura Irene Appleyard November 12 1927
May 6 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
