IRENE PORTER (GURKE)

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IRENE PORTER (nee GURKE) With her family at her side, Irene Porter passed away at Deer Lodge Centre on Sunday, April 1, 2007 at the age of 86 years. She was predeceased by her loving husband Fred; parents, August and Matilda Gurke; brothers, Wilhelm, Albert, Ed; sister Cecelia; sisters-in-law, Elsie Devlin of Calgary, AB and Rosie Magnusson of St. Walburg, SK. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Thomas (Debbie) Porter of Winnipeg, Randy (Shelley) Porter of Portage la Prairie, and Lana (Mitch) Penner of Winnipeg; grandchildren, Darnell, Chace, Brandis and Kassi; siblings, Margaret (George - deceased) MacDonald of Portage la Prairie, Bertha (Archie - deceased) Forrest of California, Doris (Richard Dick ) Britton of California, Archie (Marg) Gurke of Edmonton and George (Janet) Gurke of Portage la Prairie; sisters-in-law, Edith Cochrane formerly of Maidstone, SK, Norma Gurke and Ruth Gurke, both of Portage la Prairie; along with many special nieces and nephews. Irene Porter was born September 9, 1920 in Emerson, MB where she was educated and confirmed in May 1935. Irene took a hair dressing course and received her license in 1946. During the war she worked in Toronto in an ammunitions factory and later as a psychiatric health care aid at MDC until her retirement. Following the war in 1946 she married Fred Porter and enjoyed 43 years of married life until his passing. Irene was an exceptionally supportive and a proud mother and grandmother. She was loving, independent, strong, nurturing, generous, kind and thoughtful. Some of her favourite activities were knitting, crocheting, and doing crossword puzzles, but mostly enjoyed spending time with family and her grandchildren. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, April 5, 2007 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 20 12th Street NW in Portage la Prairie at 1:30 p.m. led by Pastor John Blum. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Irene's name to the Deer Lodge Foundation, 2109 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3J 0L3 or to Parkinson Society Canada, Manitoba Region, 204-825 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB R3A 1M5. When is it time to say goodbye, To all the love we've known? When is it time to end your pain And leave us all alone? We've watched you on your good days when We feel your strength renewed; But shortly after little ups, The down days they ensue. As we look into your face On days that have been bad, We see a look that beckons us It's tired, and hurt and sad. The little spark we used to see Behind those loving eyes, Is growing ever clouded By life's cruel inhumane side. We try to see beyond the pain You feel with every step; And softly whisper to ourselves This may get better yet. For letting go is harder for The person left behind; It means that if we let you go We cannot turn back time. But now the lights are darkening... We take it daily now; We cannot see our future clear Or think beyond this cloud, For if we let ourselves admit It's time to let you go; We'd have to face reality Without you...but we know... That soon we have to face The final outcome that we dread. And holding on will only serve To hurt you in the end. You've given such unselfish love For all our time in life, But if we hold too tightly, You'll not move toward the light... On to a better life, where you Can once again be free, Of all the pain and discomfort That holds you here to us. So if we find the courage just to say This last farewell, We hope you will forgive us for The time it took us; still... We'll hold with us the memories That in our heart remains, Pray one day, down the road a'ways They'll lessen our own pain. A tree will be planted and cared for in memory of Irene by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. 857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 05, 2007