IRENE MARRIOTT (GIBSON)

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IRENE MARRIOTT
(GIBSON)
November 6, 1939 - December 8, 2020

It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Irene Elizabeth Marriott (Gibson), after a short battle with lung cancer.
She was predeceased by: her parents - Arthur and Eva Gibson, her brother Don, her brother Ray, her nephew David Palmer, and her sister-in-law Isabel Palmer (Marriott).
She leaves to cherish her memory: Harvey Marriott (husband), Sandra Marriott-Silver and Dave Silver (daughter and son-in-law), Jim and Karen Marriott (son and daughter-in-law); grandchildren - Graham (Amanda), Kaitlyn (Daniel), Brent and Camille (Ty). She also leaves to mourn Reg Palmer (brother-in-law); Liz Palmer (Gary) (niece); Randy Palmer (Marianne) (nephew); Leona Palmer (late nephew's wife); and Margaret Bakker (Whitbread) and family (cousins).
She is also survived by many friends including: Elaine and Barry Dunlop, CR and Ron Edwards, Norm and Eunie Roberts, Bonnie and Don McFeetors, Marlene Dawson, Grace Buhr, Ray and Faith Pacholuk, Rev. Dr. Virginia Coleman (Ginny), her JUGS golf group, her book club group, her Bridge group, her friends at the Clandeboye United Church and so many other friends that I would fill a full page to list.
Irene's life began in her father's car in the parking lot of the old Selkirk Hospital. She grew up in the Fort Rouge community in Winnipeg where she excelled as a pitcher on the Earl Grey team. She worked at Air Canada, where she met her husband, Harvey. She worked there until she became pregnant with her first child. She then returned to employment when her children were teenagers - starting at Silver Heights Medical Clinic and then moving on to secretarial jobs with Forestry at the Government of Manitoba. She and Harvey moved from St. James to their home on Medicine Creek after Harvey's retirement, to enjoy the country life.
Irene and Harvey thrived in their retirement years. They travelled all over the world and had many adventures with family trips, group friend trips, and couples trips. They loved to downhill ski, cross-country ski, roller blade, and golf. Irene enjoyed all of these activities and continued golfing two to three rounds a week this past summer. She also passionately enjoyed duplicates bridge, where she was very successful and often finished at, or near the top.
Irene created long lasting friendships with people from all aspects of her life. She thrived on these friendships and strived to maintain contact throughout her life. She hosted and attended many social events with all of her friends, and was always planning the next dinner party.
Irene was also a leader. She volunteered and took on leadership roles in many organizations over the years. She put in many hours volunteering and contributing to the United Church in Clandeboye. She organized the Fowl Supper and Fish Fry for many years. Then she worked hard on a large project involving reorganization of the Clandeboye and Winnipeg Beach United Church.
Irene was also a wonderful mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. Family was very important to her and she brought us together for numerous family dinners and celebrations over the years. She attended all of her grandchildren's events and always contributed to the various fundraisers the kids took part in. She would always volunteer to help with events, and was there for us whenever we needed her. She loved her family and we loved her dearly.
She was also a loving and devoted wife. After many years of marriage, her husband became ill with Alzheimer's. They talked openly with each other, family, and friends about the disease. She supported and cared for him for as long as she could. It was with a heavy heart that she finally placed him in a personal care home. They visited regularly until she became ill herself.
Irene lived a great life. She will be greatly missed, but has left a legacy of values, traditions, kindness, and a fun-loving approach to life that her family and friends will emulate throughout their lives.
We will think of you often, love you forever, and never forget the joy that you brought to the world.
We would like to thank all the family and friends who supported Irene and our family over the last eight weeks. We have been overwhelmed, and have appreciated every email, phone call, message, card, and gift.
In view of COVID-19 restrictions, in-person attendance at the funeral and interment will be by invitation only. A YouTube link for the funeral will be posted on her tribute wall at www.gilbartfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.

Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk
in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 12, 2020