Obituary of Irene Margaret Kennedy

Irene Margret Kennedy passed away peacefully in Cranbrook, on September 26, 2024. She was born November 3, 1934 in Shell Lake, Saskatchewan, to parents, Joseph and Evelyn Matkovich, and grew up with her beloved younger brother, Roy. 
 

Irene lived on the prairies until 1948 when her family moved to Beaverdell, BC, where she would meet her soulmate and husband of 68 years, Cameron Kennedy. They were married June 2, 1956, and lived a life full of love and true happiness. 
 

Their son D’Arcy was born in 1963, and the family moved to Kelowna where they would reside until 1989 when Irene and Cam followed their son to Cranbrook. In 1992 after D’Arcy married Laura, they moved to Vernon, until they returned to Cranbrook in 2012. 

 

Irene “Nanny” loved her daughter-in-law Laura, and the lights of her life were her two granddaughters, Brianna and Devon. Many vacations spent with Nanny and Grandpa in Vernon, without mom and dad, were the highlight of both her and her granddaughters’ summers. She welcomed into the family Brianna’s partner Daniel, and Devon’s partner Shawnday, and great grandchildren, Forest and Izzy. Large, noisy, family dinners were the norm, with all generations creating wonderful memories together. She lived her life on the bedrock principal of family first. Her energy, support and pride in all her family was ever apparent.

 
Irene loved her gardens, and was very proud when she won first place for best landscaped yard in Vernon one year. She was a stay-at-home mom, but it was said she was a “professional” mom in all respects. Whether it was cooking or watching the kids,  she always ensured that visiting friends were fed and taken care of as well. Numerous friends called her mom, and still to this day, recall how lucky we all were to have her in our lives. Irene’s kindness and compassion tempered her strong will, but if anyone made a decision she disapproved of, one of her looks was all it took to convey her displeasure. Her big heart even extended to spoiling the family pets, as she would often make perfectly buttered popcorn for her granddogs when they visited.

 
Irene’s early years with Cam involved living in log cabins in the middle of nowhere, renovating and re-renovating homes, stretching the family dollar until it was about to snap, all while looking well put together. When she recently ended up in the ER with a short lived, but serious illness, Laura commented on the fact that even in an emergency, she had taken the time to put her eyebrows and lips on.  She replied, “Just the eyebrows, I’m not going to a dance.” 

 

Irene’s passing has left a huge hole in the heart of our family.  Cam and Irene were two halves that made a whole, and gave all of us a living example of love and commitment. There is only one true happiness in life; to love and be loved, and Irene did that exceptionally well. She wove a beautiful family tapestry, and though we would’ve wished for many more years with her, her wisdom and love will continue to guide us as we move forward in her memory, and with the legacy she left behind. Your wishes will be honoured, Mom. We will take care of the family, and especially Grandpa. Forever in our hearts.

 

Irene did not want a service or a fuss, but thought that if folks felt they wanted to do something in her memory, they could donate to the BC Professional Firefighter’s Burn Fund.