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January 24, 1929 - April 9, 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Irene - mother, grandmother (Baba), great-grandmother, sister-in-law and friend to all who knew her. She was truly loved by her family, extended family, friends, many nieces-great nieces, nephews-great nephews, an assortment of cousins, as well as her many exchange students she sponsored and any spare person that entered her life. She always had room, coffee, cookies and a bowl of borscht for one and all. She was a ready volunteer at school, literacy, social functions, as well as member of the Arts, Horticultural and Ukrainian society teaching egg decoration.
Irene (Erena) born to Stephan and Mary Naduraik nee: Homeniuk in the Burgis district homestead 6 miles SE from Canora Saskatchewan. Named after her maternal grandmother Erena Homeniuk nee: Verbenuik. She was the youngest of five. Harry Steven- Mary Jean (Kitchen), Anne-Mike Lyschinski, Mike- Olga (Zawerucha), William (Bill)-Marion (Pura). She married Victor Paul Kopec October 7, 1950 and was also very close to the Kopec family. Rose Vivian-Paul Bahniuk, Anne Veronica-Halldor Gudmundson, Katie - Robert Johnson, Amelia (Emily) - Henry Barney Kosar, Albert Mark-Violet Victoria nee: Stratychuk.
She trained to be teacher, 1947 starting at a one room school at Hudson Bay Junction, Saskatchewan. She was a natural born teacher and continued throughout her life helping people. This is where she met Vic, teaching his siblings. They bought part of Anthony (Tony) Kopec's land 1950 to farm, having Linda, Bonnie, Donna. She taught until moving to Flinflon Manitoba 1956, having Jerry, Debbie. Irene taught Brownies and Girl Guilds. They moved to Nanaimo 1968 and opened the family garage Vic's Departure Bay Service station. She retook her teacher's certification in 1968 and taught once again. Irene worked for Simpson-Sears at this time for at least 21 years making many lifelong friends.
Baba is survived by Linda Karen- Floyd Wylie, grandson Christian Bronson Kopec- Randi Annise Laliberte, great-grandchildren Jenna Bonnie, Cameron Bronson, Sydney Joyce, Joshua Charles, and Hunter Jordan. She lost her beloved Bonita Cheryl June 12, 1972. Donna Jane- Randy John Reid, grandson Piper Johnston Reid. Jerry Dixon- Lynn (Turner), grandson Taylor Victor-Kaitock (Phenphonsy), granddaughter Shayne Angela- Adam Proust, grandson Callan Mitchell. Debra Lorraine- Benjamin Deane Bickerton, granddaughter Tamara Jayne- Peter Dilwyn Isherwood, grandson Brett Deane-Karli Dawn Rushton.
We have been so fortunate to have had this kind human being in our lives. In lieu of flowers, plant a flower and hug a loved one.


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