I met Irene when Marley introduced us. I liked her immediately and appreciated the close relationship between Gramma and Granddaugter. She will be missed.

Remembering Irene Forest

My name is Rose Bugeresta and I am Irene Forest’s older sister. We were about 2 years apart. I was born in 1928 and Irene, in 1930. These are a few memories I have of my sister, Irene.

Early Years:

Irene and I had lots of fun growing up together. In the winter, we enjoyed playing in the snow at our parents’home on 150 Steven Street in Winnipeg. In the summer, we’d go to the beach, but we didn’t go into the water. I remember the good times we had sleeping on a murphy bed at my parents’ home. Irene was an easy, happy go lucky girl. She wasn’t fussy and enjoyed our mom’s cooking.

As a Young adult:

We enjoyed going dancing and on Saturday nights, we would often attend the war-time dances. I was about 20 and Irene was 18. She was petite, about a size 8. This was about the time of the Red River Flood in Winnipegwhich was on May 5, 1950.

We would like to spend the weekends in Kenora, Ontario and would stay at the Kenrick Hotel. We enjoyed music and liked Elvis’ song, “Good Night Irene” and Frank Elaines’ song, “Rose, Rose I Love You.” Some weekends, we would take the bus or the CPR train and stay at the Riverside Hotel. We had lots of boyfriends.

Irene graduated from Lord Selkirk High School. She would walk about one mile to school and would cross the bridge every day. One of her friends was Marchella.  She was a French girl, and they enjoyed going dancing in the Winnipeg auditorium.

We didn’t have much money, but we liked going to movies and have a beer. I had a good relationship with my sister, and I remember us being good friends.

Irene loved to talk on the phone and read.  She would read anything she got her hands on at the public library and would often stay up until 3:00 a.m. She was frequently late, and Dad would often get upset with her because she was reading the papers.

When we got older, we both worked in retail stores in Winnipeg – Irene worked at Eaton’s and I worked at the Bay.

Later Years:

After I moved to Vancouver and later to Surrey we didn’t see each other too often. However, about 25 years ago, the two of us went to Hawaii for about three weeks. We enjoyed going for dinner, shopping and watching the Don Ho Show. Her granddaughter, Bethany, was born to Randy and Janie while we were in Hawaii.

I also remember taking a trip to Minneapolis for the weekend with Irene. There was myself, Irene, Irene’s friend, Carmell Burrard, my brother Norman, my sister Mary and her husband Bill.  Bill took his car and did the driving. It was an old chevy car and we had a flat tire on the way. We stayed at the Circle’s Hotel. We had a good trip.

I would travel and visit her more often than she came here to Surrey. The last time she visited, she gave me a ‘Sister’s Plaque’ which said – “Sister’s make the Best Friends.”  I still have it hanging in my hall. She also gave me a Ukrainian needlepoint, in three round wooden frames, which is hanging in my entrance way.

Irene liked the Winnipeg Jets and Blue Bombers. She enjoyed the Winnipeg Jets Hockey game she attendedwith her son-in-law (Lisa’s husband).

She loved ‘A and W’ hamburgers and root beer, and I would sometimes send her money or a gift card for her birthday.

Irene had several health issues in her later years and the last time I talked to her, she was not feeling well and was going back to the hospital. We talked about how we were both experiencing declining health. I was upset to hear of her cancer diagnosis and that she was very sick and didn’t have long to live. I will miss, Irene, and willmiss talking to her on the phone.

Beautiful tribute to a life well lived. Had the pleasure to meet her at Marley's wedding and yes, she certainly was a character. Our condolences to all the family.

Denise & Gary Halliday

RIP IRENE WE WILL MISS