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Irene Alma Elizabeth Rahme (nee Shearer) Obituary
(February 11, 1930 – November 28, 2024)
Irene passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at the age of 94, with her family by her side at Glen Hill Terrace, in Whitby, Ontario. Irene was a longtime resident of Oshawa, Ontario, where she met Howard and married and raised her children.
Sadly, Irene was predeceased by parents Robert and Alma Shearer, husband Howard Rahme, partner Leonard Head, sons Eric Rahme and Donald Rahme and brothers and sisters-in-law Robert and Joyce Shearer, James Shearer, and Jennie Shearer.
She is survived by her brother Jack and sisters-in-law Hilda Shearer, Mary Shearer and Joan Rahme.
Lovingly remembered by her daughters Janice Rahme (Stewart Franck), Laurie Rahme and Lori Birch.
Grandchildren Jeremy and Heather Pilkey, Jennifer Pilkey and Carson Shand, Jason Rahme, Justin Rahme, Christina Dubblestein and Craig Dubblestein will always hold in their hearts the generosity of their Nana as a safe haven or chocolate chip cookies or after school care or sleep over or mending or money or rides or haircuts… she did it all.
Irene left her Great Grandchildren Philip (Alysia), Madelyn, Xavier and Teah, Liliana, Victoria, Cooper a legacy of crocheted blankets and hugs.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend at McINTOSH-ANDERSON-KELLAM FUNERAL HOME LTD. 152 King St. E., Oshawa (905-433-5558) for a celebration of Irene’s life on Sunday, January 12, 2025 from 2 – 4 p.m., with a time of reflection and remembrance beginning at 2:30 p.m., followed by refreshments.
Special thanks to the Glen Hill Terrace family and their palliative care, and love they gave to our family, and the beautiful walk of honour as Irene exited the building.
Donations in Irene’s honour to Alzheimer Society of Canada or Glen Hill Terrace would be greatly appreciated as Irene’s family used the resources and care of them both.
A Personal Story from Janice…
I have quite a few pictures of mom when she was a young girl and with her brothers Bob and Jack and Jim. She would always tell me how the three boys would tease her, and she didn’t take too kindly of this happening, and I think that my grandmother might have been a kidder as well, so she may not have put a stop to it. It was all in good fun. Sadly, mom lost two brothers, two sisters in-law, two sons and a nephew between 2020 and 2022. It seemed only a few years ago that we lost Grandma Shearer, her mother, Alma Shearer.
I don’t know that much about mom except, of course, what she told us. I remember her telling us that she worked at a restaurant as a teenager and that’s where she met my dad, Howard. Dad was very shy, and I think it took more than a couple of visits to the restaurant before he asked mom to a movie. They were married in 1949 and had three children over the next 15 years. Mom and dad bought our home on Westmount Street after they had been married a few years. One block from our grandparent’s home on Grenfell Street… It was a great place to raise kids because it was near a school, our grandparents and, eventually, the Oshawa Shopping Centre.
People were always welcome at our home. Mom and dad welcomed boarders when they first bought the house. Sharing their home helped with expenses, not to mention they met great people and made lifelong friends. We often had aunts, uncles, cousins and grandma Rahme stay with us. And, of course, mom knew all the neighbours.
She attended Westmount Church (aka Centennial Albert Church) in Oshawa for many years and was part of the Women’s Auxiliary and an Explorer Leader.
Mom loved to 5 pin bowl and did so for many years and she and dad frequently played cards with friends while the Toronto Maple Leafs played on the TV in the background.
Mom kept busy taking care of the house and children and eventually, when we were a little older, started sewing (tailoring really) clothing for other people. She had always made dresses for herself and me and she translated that wonderful skill into a small home business. It grew from simply tailoring to making wedding and bridesmaid dresses. Often the brides would bring one or two purchased patterns and pictures and would ask my mother to create a design just for them, using various patterns for ideas. Essentially mom designed clothing, often helping the bride select fabric. She was a very talented designer and excellent sewer. Always knew the latest fashion and style and she always looked great. If making wedding dresses and bridesmaids’ dresses wasn’t enough, she also started to decorate wedding cakes and make flower arrangements and bouquets.
Mom eventually gave up the sewing machine and I’m sure she missed all the lovely fabrics and lace and sparkly trims and pearls that she painstakingly sewed on. Almost every evening she’d have a gown or a fancy dress on her lap as she watched TV, sewing yards of fancy lace and adornments to the dresses.
Mom would also host the quilt making activities with my two grandmothers: Grandma Rahme and Grandma Shearer. I still have a couple of lovely old, well used quilts lovingly hand quilted for my trousseau (wedding gifts)
On Sunday November 24, when we got together to visit mom, my kids, grandkids, niece and nephews reminded me of Nana’s house being a safe haven; warm and welcoming. As grandkids came along, we all had different needs at different times. My kids, Jeremy and Jennifer and I enjoyed many meals at their home. As a young working mom, I don’t know what I would have done or how my life would have turned out without them. My parents were a safety net for us all. After my family matured, along came Don and Laurie with their two boys, Jason and Justin, to help. Lastly, Eric had two kids, Tina (Christina) and Craig. In each case, if any of us needed a meal, a place to stay or live, money, car or bicycle repair, a drive, a babysitter, a new dress, cup of tea, mom and dad were there.
Mom had a way of standing behind us, supporting us if needed, allowing us to make our own decisions, deal with whatever was happening, without interference. And we always knew that she was there if we needed her and dad.
My dad, Howard John Rahme, passed away in 1993 after 45 years of marriage.
I don’t know when mom started knitting and crocheting, perhaps as a young girl or before the sewing clothes and wedding dresses, or after. She was a great knitter and crocheter. By the time mom was in a care home in her 90’s she had made little Afghan blankets for each grandchild, great grandchildren and friend’s grandchildren. Also, of course, each adult family had a beautiful custom Afghan in personally selected colours… on their couch to cozy up in. Mom loved to keep her hands busy!
Mom met a gentleman, Len, while dancing at a social event with her longtime girlfriends. It was so sweet after my dad passing a few years previous that mom was able to meet someone special to have fun with, to travel with, to take care of each other. Mom’s partner passed away, and as usual, her strong character, fortitude, and independence helped her move on.
Mom loved watching TV, especially old movies, anything about the royal family, daytime talk shows and home improvement shows. She learned to love painting and crafting, which was no surprise that she enjoyed these creative outlets.
When moving to Glen Hill Terrace, crafting was an available activity mom loved. Mom painted a wall full of floral pictures before setting out to buy and paint small birdhouses for everyone in her family!
Mom witnessed two coronations; Queen Elizabeth in 1953 and King Charles in 2023, so this gave her lots of royal history to share with us. She loved to talk about the royal household and read HELLO! magazine.
My mom, being the fashionable and creative person that she was, selected a lovely soft green fabric dress, embellished with beads to be her final dress.
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2024
Death notice for the town of: Oshawa, Province: Ontario
death notice Irene Alma Elizabeth Rahme nee Shearer 2024
obituaries notice Irene Alma Elizabeth Rahme nee Shearer 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Irene Alma Elizabeth Rahme nee Shearer 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
