Irene Thomas
November 15th, 2022
Irene Thomas (nee Nowicki) passed away from a sudden illness on November 15th at the age of 80. She is survived by her four children, Brian (Ali) in Australia, Brenda (Michael), Derek (Camilla) in Denmark, and Denise; and five grandchildren, Lorne, Dylan, Jacob, Logan, and Emilia.
Irene was born in Theodore, Saskatchewan, where she was raised with her two siblings, Lorence and Margaret, by her father Walter and mother Freda. She later lived in Winnipeg where she attended the Salvation Army's Grace Hospital School of Nursing to become a registered nurse, and then moved to BC to continue her nursing career. There she met and later married Richard Thomas.
Irene loved family gatherings with her children and grandchildren and talking on the phone with her Aunt Elsie. She enjoyed watching Alaska the Last Frontier and Young Sheldon. She had a brilliant sense of humour and was loved by everyone. She was the foundation of our family and is greatly missed.
As per Irene's request, there will be no memorial service, though we will continue gathering often as a family, in celebration of her.
Messages:
So sorry she had to leave us . Just the most wonderful person ever . Mom always enjoyed their visits on the phone . She will always miss 4nhtnkthem . She will be missed by all of her family in Theodore
She was a wonderful friend.
She was always so welcoming and awesome, I always felt welcome at the house.
Our condolences to the family. Irene will be missed.
Irene put up with a lot of us teenagers going in and out of her house. She was one of a kind, always made me feel like one of the family. Irene will be missed.
Mom, thank you for everything. I hope you know we all consider ourselves incredibly lucky to have had you and Dad as parents. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. I’m sorry I drifted off halfway around the world but I know you were proud of me and what I have done. And you were always in my thoughts and in my heart no matter where I was, and that won’t change. I love you lots. Thanks for being our, and everyone’s, mom.
So many childhood memories of mine were from times spent with Denise & Derek hanging out at the Thomas House! Mom was always so witty & funny and treated all us kids as if we were her own. My regret is letting the years between visits slip by. Much love to Brian, Brenda, Denise & Derek
Brian, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. Saying good-bye to a parent is so hard. Best wishes for you and your family.
To my cousins , Derek, Denise, Brenda, and Brian. I'm saddened to see that my ( Auntie Irene ) has passed . My mother's illness left me somewhat displaced amongst all the family since my birth. When the time came in my later teens ,and was allowed to connect again with you all. The moment I stepped in your door, I was overwhelmed with a sense that ,I know this place, I remember this , I've been here . Irene made me feel as if i was one of you, I had always been there, part of a family, and never left. This is something I wish I had told her. At my mother's last breath. Irene was with me. Myself and My children, Darren, Davina, Daimen, give our love to you all. Years pass. It feels like yesterday. To me your always here, your part of my family, and you never left. Love you always Auntie Irene.