Tribute

Irene May Kwasnica, 11 April 1924 – 5 October 2009, age 85, died peacefully surrounded by family at the Palliative Care Unit of South Okanagan Hospital in Oliver, BC. Irene was predeceased by her parents Herbert Rose and Sarah May (McNamara) Rose, and by her brothers William and Herbert. She is survived by her sister Joan Marie Griffin of Toronto, her husband Stephen Kwasnica of Oliver, her children Karen Anne Syme (Stuart), Marie Margaret Leiren, John Gregory Kwasnica (Angela), and David Alan Kwasnica (Lynn), her grandchildren Wesley (Cathy Marshall) and Nadia Gale (Neil Homulus), Ian Syme, Jason and Cort Caldwell, Jordan and Alyssa Kwasnica, Tyler and Ryan Kwasnica, and her great-granddaughter Phaedra Gale.

After working at Eatons and later a munitions plant in Toronto, Irene served from January 1943 through December 1945 in the RCAF as an Operations Clerk plotting convoy and U-boat movements in the North Atlantic for bomber and reconnaissance squadrons from the operations centre at RCAF Station Gander, Newfoundland. Irene was awarded the Defence Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp, and the War Medal 1939-1945 for her service. During her posting to Yarmouth, she met Steve, and following his discharge from the RCAF they were married on 15 January 1946 in Toronto. They began their family in Rutland BC. After Steve rejoined the RCAF in 1949 the family moved to Edmonton, Marville France, North Bay, Camp Borden, and Chilliwack. In 1974, Steve and Irene settled on an orchard just north of Oliver and Irene took work in the local packing house.

During her 35 years in Oliver BC, Irene served on the Executive Committee of Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion, as President and executive member of the Catholic Women’s League of Christ the King Parish, as a member of the Air Force Association of Canada, and was a member of the Oliver Senior Centre.
Prayers were held at 7:00 P.M. Friday October 9th, at Christ the King Catholic Church. A funeral mass was celebrated by Fr. Sebastian Puthenpura at 10:30 A.M. Saturday October 10, 2009 at Christ the King Catholic Church. Interment and committal followed at the Oliver Municipal Cemetery. A reception was then held at Christ the King Catholic Church lower hall.
Donations are gratefully accepted to the SOGH Palliative Care Unit. Condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com
Arrangements entrusted to Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium, Oliver & Osoyoos, BC.