Irene Loretta Russell (nee Barrette)

The world has lost a wonderful loving person.

On Sunday January 5/2025 Irene Loretta Russell (Barrette) peacefully passed away. She has gone to be with numerous other family members. Parents, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and nephews will all be there to welcome her into their midst. Party time!

Mom was the type of person that just put you in a good mood when you saw her. Always smiling and happy. She was described as a ray of sunshine! We loved to hear her talk of days gone by. Growing up on a farm and riding her horse to school, working at 15 yrs. old at Ye Olde Fish and Chips where the soldiers treated her like a younger sister and tipped accordingly, being the only woman ( young too ) working in the office for the RCMP. They used to sing the song “Goodnight Irene “to her as she left work. Some of her other employers were Cloverdale Knitting Mills, lawyers and doctors and CN. Her absolute favorite though was the RCMP. They made her feel special and appreciated. More recent memories were of vacations and family get togethers. The one constant throughout the memories was food. From the time Mom was young she loved cooking and baking and shared that passion with her children and grandchildren. We were so fortunate to have such a talented mother.

Out of all the amazing roles Mom had in her life her best was being a Mom. She gave everything she had for her family often at her own expense. She loved us and showed us how good life could be. It wasn’t easy 65 years ago to be divorced and a single parent to three girls. Life threw her many trials but she persevered. We are so proud of the strong independent woman she was even right to the end.

Irene is survived by her daughters: Susan ( Rick), Brenda ( Eric ), Janet ( Norm ) Grandchildren: Joel ( Dani ), James ( Thea ) , Cassandra, Nikki ( Trevor ) , Stephanie, Jenny and great-grand children Jeremy and Riley. Sister Laura and nieces Bonnie, Pam ( Dean ) and Michelle ( Ralph )

Thank you to the residents and staff of Kipnes Centre for Veterans especially Saskatchewan House. It was home to Mom and she felt wanted and part of a family. We’ll be forever grateful to you.

A Celebration of Life will be held with a date to be confirmed later.