IRENE MARGARET MACKELLAR

Irene Margaret (Dowd) MacKellar passed away peacefully on July 10, 2008 at the Kelowna General Hospital in Kelowna, B.C. at the age of 99 years, six months, and 17 days.
Irene was born in Kenora, Ont. on Dec. 24, 1908.
She married John Frederick MacKellar on May 16, 1931. They lived in Kenora until 1945, when Fred was transferred to the Fort Frances mill of the Ontario Minnesota Pulp and Paper Co.
She moved to Kelowna in 1990 to enjoy all the fruit and flowers.
Irene was predeceased by her beloved husband on Oct. 31, 1968; her parents, Joanna (1974) and Joseph Richard Dowd (1939); and brother, Lawrence (1968).
Irene is survived by her children, Elizabeth “Betty” Julia Sorensen and Peter Richard MacKellar; three grandchildren, Lianne (Sorensen) Kruger, and Ian and Allison (MacKellar) Stewart; and eight great-grandchildren, Rebecca, Jonathan, David, Rachel, and Jeanette Kruger, Madison and Callum MacKellar, and Tavin Stewart.
Irene earned an Associate Toronto Conservatory of Music (ATCM) degree and shared her talent with many young students of the Fort Frances Retarded School (25 years).
She also enjoyed accompanying soloists for Royal Conservatory exams and musical festivals, including the local production of Handel’s Messiah.
Irene was a member of the board of Rainycrest Home for the Aged (eight years) and of the hospital and library boards.
She was recognized for her many years of voluntary service to the community as the Lions Club Citizen of the Month (1979), and received Certificates of Appreciation from the Rainycrest noard (1980), Fort Frances District Association for the Mentally Retarded (1971), and from the Town of Fort Frances council (1990).
A private graveside service will be held at the Fort Frances cemetery at a date to be announced.
In memoriam donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
People who wish to express their condolences may do so by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com