Irene (Marian) Perry
Oct. 15, 1926 – June 2, 2012
Irene was born and raised in Kimberly, B.C. by her parents George and Caroline Wanuk. She did well in school and trained in St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver and became a nurse.
She started working in Williams Lake and accepted a job offer to nurse in California BUT at a dance she met her husband to be, Laurence Perry. She decided to stay and on Nov. 13, 1950 they were married. Laurence finished articling in law and they went over choices of where they should move to live. Irene said, “Choose mountains” so Smithers it was. All five of their boys were born in Smithers.
Their first home was a converted store on Alfred Avenue. It was drafty and cold in the winter. In the 60’s they moved to their house on the corner of First Avenue and Winnipeg Street where they lived until all the boys moved out. Upon Laurence’s retirement they moved out to Tyhee lake.
At the lake they enjoyed biking, walking, gardening (great tomatoes and potatoes) and in the winter, skiing in the hills and across the frozen lake. Irene was a strong swimmer but didn’t enjoy the weeds too much. Their grandchildren loved going out to the lake. They knew they were loved and felt special.
Irene was a devout Catholic, played piano and loved art. She raised five boys which was quite a job. There were days she probably thought that the nursing for a living option wasn’t so bad, but she persevered. Irene was a quiet, selfless person. Her favorite bird was the chickadee because it never left us and her favorite flower was a forget me not. She still sponsors two children overseas.
The family would like to thank Dr. Sheila Smith, the staff at the Bulkley Lodge, and Maria Kanis. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Bulkley Lodge addition project.
Irene is survived by her sister Edna (Berglund) her five boys Paul (Lorna), John (Wendy), Mark (Jane), Dan (Julie) and Joel, 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her parents George and Caroline, her husband, Laurence Perry and her bother George Wanuk. A remembrance ceremony will be held at a later date.