March 11, 1937 - May 4, 2019
With the deepest of sorrow, the family of Irene Louiza Hudson (nee Welch) announces her passing on May 4th at the age of 82. Irene was recently predeceased by her loving husband of 58 years, John Frederick Hudson and her brother-in-law Norman Titley, and was also predeceased by her mother Emily Louisa "Louie" Welch (nee Bloomer), and father Robert Welch. Irene is lovingly remembered by her daughter Deborah, son and daughter-in-law David and Laura, sister Willena, grandchildren Lisa, Jeff and Michelle, and cousins near and far.
Irene will forever be remembered as a warm, kind, fun- loving, joyful, and incredibly generous spirit - a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Irene was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and first came to Canada on the Empress of Britain in 1957. Irene and John met on the tennis courts, while working at Confederation Life in Toronto. They were married on September 3rd, 1960 in Hamilton, Ontario - the city where Irene's Auntie Molly Bole (nee Welch) and Uncle Bill Bole had previously settled. With Irene's parents still in Northern Ireland, Molly and Bill joined John's parents, Evelyn Phyllis "Eve" Hudson (nee Wilkins) and Frederick Christian "Fred" Hudson, in supporting Irene and John in the celebration of their marriage, and in the birth and upbringing of their children. Shortly after the passing of Irene's father in 1970, Irene and John brought her mother over to Canada, and welcomed her into their home. "Grandma Welch" cherished her new life in Canada as an integral part of the "Hudson Family", until her passing in 1994.
During their long and happy life together Irene and John shared many interests, including a love of music, and travel to oceanside destinations. They belonged to tennis, bowling, and curling clubs, and enjoyed following their favourite sports teams together. Irene and John shared a love of animals, and encouraged Deborah and David in caring for a wide range of pets, while reserving a little extra love for their dogs Tiny, Misty, and Brindle. They spent 15 happy winters in South Pasadena, Florida, with Willena and Norm never far away. Irene and John loved living in Parksville B.C., where they moved in 2006, and on their walks along the boardwalk, they could always be seen holding hands.
Irene had an infectious fascination with the world around her - particularly volcanoes, oceans, and the starry night sky. She also had a passion for gardening, whether roses or tomatoes, and had a creative streak which most often expressed itself through her photography. Above all, Irene lived her life with a very deep love for her family, friends, and neighbours, and by all of us, she will be very greatly missed.
Irene's Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 29th at 11 am at Sands Funeral Chapel in Nanaimo B.C., followed by her interment at 2 pm at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens.