Obituary of Irene Parker
Irene Parker of Lloydminster, AB was born to Joseph and Agnes Laboucane and was the fourth oldest of 15 children. She was raised in Loon River, SK where she attended school, helped around the family farm and looked after her brothers and sisters.
Irene came from a hardworking family and at a young age she went to work at the Lakeside Hotel cleaning rooms and later worked for a family around Loon Lake assisting with the farm chores and childcare.
Later she went to work at the Notre Dame Hospital in North Battleford, Sask as a Nurses Aid. She lived in North Battleford with her sister Gladys and brother Emil until 1969 when she married Gordon Parker. In 1971 they moved to Edmonton, Alberta and made their home there until 2021 when Irene decided to move to Lloydminster to be closer to her only remaining sister Gladys.
While in Edmonton, Irene worked at the Charles Camsell Hospital as a Nursing Assistant and later as a Surgical Processor. She worked there until she retired in 1984, to look after her husband Gordon who was ill with Cancer. He passed in June of 1985.
Irene was very active in Edmonton at the Castledowns United Church and volunteering in other organizations to support the vulnerable people of Edmonton. Most specifically single mothers and little children.
Irene was always supportive to her family and had extended stays in Lloydminster with her mom, sister Gladys, visiting her other sisters Mary, Bertha (John) and Joyce and her brothers Victor (Darlene) and Phillip (Florence). She looked forward to her lunches and trips with Uncle Norman. She would often travel to see her brothers Andy (Elvina) in Okotoks, Gabe (Nan) in Ladysmith. She loved to travel and did many trips across Canada. In later years she traveled to Alaska with her dear friend Harvey Boldt. She even started fishing and camping which was surprising to many of the family.
Irene was always around Lloydminster at Christmas and was very generous with gifts for all. We can all remember some of the gifts that we received, sometime they made us laugh but we always knew it was a gift from the heart.
She was always there to help and support her brothers and sisters, and family was her love. She loved to dance, wear beautiful clothes and drive Ford vans so she could drive her sisters around.
Irene loved it when her brothers would come and took her for drives in the country, or outings at Aunty Gladys house, she loved soft ice cream, a good steak with baked potato and sour cream, lemon pie, angle-food cake and earl grey tea.
On October 4, 2023 Irene celebrated her 94th birthday, she certainly enjoyed her birthday party. She was ill on and off this year and we wondered how long we would have her in our lives. I hope you are dancing in the clouds Aunty with the loves of your life.
Good night Irene. We will see you in our dreams.
Irene was predeceased by: her husband, Gordon Parker; her parents, Joseph and Agnes Laboucane; brothers, George, Harvey, Romeo, Emil, Victor, Phillip; sisters, Madeline Edworthy, Mary Gervais, Bertha Bertrand, Joyce Currie;and her dear friend Harvey Boldt.
She leaves to mourn, sister, Gladys Kushniryk; brother, Andy and Elvina Laboucane, Norman Laboucane, Gabriel and Nan Laboucane; sisters-in-law, Darlene Laboucane, Florence Guy; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family would like to thank staff at Hemstock Retirement Residence, Kara and her team at Lloydminster Homecare, the doctors and nursing staff at Lloydminster Hospital for providing such good care to Irene. Also, to Dianne Collinge for taking Irene to her appointments and support.
Irene’s brothers want to thank their sister, Gladys, for taking care of Irene, making sure she always had what she needed.
The Celebration of Life for Irene will be held at McCaw Funeral Chapel, Lloydminster, AB on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 2:00 PM. If you are unable to attend in person, you may view the live streaming of the service posted under Irene's obituary at the time of service on the McCaw Funeral website.
Donation in lieu of flowers can be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation or Canadian Cancer Foundation.
Irene's memorial card can be viewed or downloaded from the link below.
https://indd.adobe.com/view/5b78515c-6af2-47ed-a595-e954caffbc6b
