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Irene Gertrude Schwab Obituary
With joy and sadness, we share that our beloved mother, Irene Gertrude Schwab, received the call she long waited for and relocated to heaven from her residence in St. Albert, Alberta, on January 29, 2025.
Early Life
Irene was born in May 1926 in Sobieski, Poland, and immigrated to Canada in 1927 with her parents, Julius and Olga Kendze, and her older brother Carl. Irene spent her early years on the family farm near Margo, Saskatchewan. Here the family grew to six with the addition of two brothers, Albert and Herbert.
After leaving high school in Kelvington, Irene lived briefly in Winnipeg and then Saskatoon with her friend, Maren. In 1947, she moved to Vancouver with her cousin, Hardy, and a school friend, Dorothy. There, Irene found work in a candy factory and lived in a ten-bedroom boarding house with several other young women. The fun times “the girls” shared provided many fond memories. It was here that her obsession with a good haircut began as she became the resident stylist for her roommates. This post-war period was a wonderful time to be young and single and dance the night away in the big city.
Family Life
In 1950, she danced into the arms of Lloyd Schwab. They loved dancing, jiving, the jitterbug, and the lindy hop, letting the music shape their movement. They married in 1951 and had four children: Marcy, Darrell, Janet, and Randall. Significantly, they purchased their first home in Edmonton in 1955, establishing a base in Beverly for 13 years before relocating to Malmo in 1968. Pursuing a dream to return to the coast, Dad moved Mom and Randall to White Rock in 1979. Ultimately, the draw of family brought Mom and Dad back to Edmonton in 1984. Looking back, it is not surprising that when Mom purchased her “little pad” in Bearspaw, she cherished the security and independence it provided. She settled in, filling her days with family and friends, waiting for the call.
The Woman
Irene worked a variety of jobs over the years. An accomplished seamstress, she worked for a period of time at NAIT as a drafting and sewing instructor. However, once she began providing home care, she found her niche. She loved serving her clients, and they valued her caring attitude. She took pride in the fact that she continued to work until the age of 87.
Irene loved serving. She was known for her frugality and ability to provide a “healthy” feast for family and friends. If you needed a ride or a meal and had dietary restrictions, Irene was there! Furthermore, Irene was also blessed with a green thumb, particularly for growing roses, especially fragrant ones.
Her faith in God was her passion and her anchor. Irene studied the Bible and many aspects of her faith. She did not hesitate to share her belief with others. Prayer and worship filled her days as she waited for her Saviour to call her home.
Irene’s Legacy
Irene is survived by her children—Marcy (Murray) Field, Darrell (Willa) Schwab, Janet (Gord) McCrimmon, and Randall Schwab; grandchildren—Ehren Wilson (Amanda Gibson), Amaryah (Issa) Maiga, Sam (Katie) Schwab, Kristy Schwab, Telaine (Enst), Matthew (Alysia), Taylor (Dean), Levi (Hanna), Alyssa (Oli) Karminsky. Great-grandchildren: Sadou, Ilyas, Seth, McKinley, Grayson, and Mila; and special friends: Mallika Menon, Shelley Johnson, and Marlon Janes, plus numerous nieces, nephews, and friends she considered family.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Lloyd Schwab; grandson Andrew Schwab; and brothers Carl, Albert,
and Herbert Kendze.
A special thank you to Dr. Tanner Redel, Chris, and her staff at Chartwell St. Albert and Chartwell Heritage. Special thanks to Elsa, Hazel, Ashika, Rys, and the many others whose names we don’t remember. She received wonderful care. You made her feel special in her last days.
A Celebration of Life for Irene will take place on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 12:00 PM at Abundant Life Ministries,
7676 Wagner Road, Edmonton, Alberta.
Following the service, please join us for a time of fellowship and refreshments provided graciously by
Irene’s Abundant Life church family.
Irene will be laid to rest at South Haven Cemetery in a private ceremony with family present earlier in the day.
Instead of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Irene, please visit our floral store.
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May 3 1926
January 29 2025
Death notice for the town of: Edmonton, Province: Alberta
death notice Irene Gertrude Schwab May 3 1926
January 29 2025
obituaries notice Irene Gertrude Schwab May 3 1926
January 29 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Irene Gertrude Schwab May 3 1926
January 29 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
