July 29, 1927 – January 16, 2021
With heavy hearts, the family of Irene Evelyn Taylor announces her peaceful passing from natural causes on January 16, 2021 at RUH in Saskatoon, with children Lois and Glen beside her.
Irene was born on July 29, 1927, the second youngest of 13 children, to Emma and John Jackson, on the family farm at Loreburn. Irene lost both her parents at the tender age of two and six, leaving her 18 year old brother, Wilf, in charge and 13 year old sister, Vieno, to carry on as mother. Despite having very little, Irene recalls a very loving childhood, attending Bonnieview School and later becoming a hairdresser in Regina.
She married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Taylor of Strongfield on April 9, 1949 and together they enjoyed a wonderful life in Elbow, SK. They farmed and then built their family service station, “Taylor Motors”, downtown and sold Cockshutt farm equipment and GMC vehicles. They were blessed with a son Glenn in 1951 and daughter Lois in 1955.
Irene was a stay-at-home, very loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She enjoyed gardening, caning everything, including dad’s fresh fish and wild meat, sewing beautiful garments, including many mother and daughter dresses, reading tea leaves every afternoon with the same circle of girlfriends, and playing card games with friends in the evenings. She loved the Bingo in the Elbow Civic Center, was a Sunday school teacher, president/secretary of the UCW, as well as an active United Church member. Irene
loved to bake and cook (she made wild meat taste good) and always welcomed guests at her table. No hungry mouth went unfed; the more the merrier to Mom.
Irene and Bob enjoyed many fishing trips with their boat and friends up to northern Saskatchewan, also vacations to Hawaii, Holland, Rome, Jamaica and several Grey Cup trips across Canada. They were diehard Roughrider fans and had season tickets for 40 years with friends Elmer and Ruth Knutson, often flying down in Elmer’s plane. Keeping their home in Elbow, Bob and Irene moved into the Ilarion Residence 12 years ago, for the winters, and eventually sold their home in Elbow after 65 years. The Ilarion became their home, where they enjoyed many new friends and especially the Bingo nights two times a week. Bob and Irene have enjoyed 71 1/2 years of married life together. Irene was a very compassionate, caring lady and would give you the shirt off her back. It wasn’t uncommon for her to tuck a $50 bill into the grandkids’ cards and the next day win it back scratching a lottery ticket. She always stressed, “It’s better to give than receive.” Mom always set good examples for us and taught us all how to have faith in Jesus and pray. She would often say, “My mother went to her grave praying for us kids.” We can be assured that she did the same.
Irene was predeceased by her parents, Emma and John Jackson, all her siblings: Alfred, Vieno (1), Lempy, Wilfred (Josie), Edwin (Edith),
Arnie, Vieno (Howard) Homeier, Leo (Bernice), Elmer, Edna (George) Arnall, Ellen (Doug) Penny, Emil (Adeline); her in-laws, Joe (Grace and Leonore) Taylor; brother-in-law Jack (Ruth) Hotell; sisters-in-law Josie (Wilf) Jackson, Jacquie (Willard) Webb, Hope McLean and Phyllis (Al) Mammel.
Irene is survived by her loving husband of 71 1/2 years, their two children, six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren: son, Glenn (Marilyn) Taylor, their three children: daughter, Erin (Darren) James, Matthew and Katelyn; son, Dr. Brian Taylor, son, Dr. Mark Taylor (Dr. Bev Wudel), Olivia and Gabriel. Also, their daughter, Lois (Keith) Forrest, their three children: son, Justin (Theresa) Forrest, Maximus, Capri and Jack; son, Rob (April) Forrest, Kale and Lexi; daughter, Trish (Mike) Tomlenovich, Adley and Kya. Also, her sister-in-law, Helen Jackson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Due to Covid restrictions, a private family service will be held at the Elbow United Church on January 21, 2021,with Rev. Ursula Wiig presiding. A public memorial/celebration and interment will follow on the August long weekend 2021.
Memorial donations in Irene’s memory can be made to the Ilarion Residence (Bingo Fund) 2509 Louise St., Saskatoon, SK. S7J 3L7 or to Sask Trails (Friends of the Elbow Trail), Box 220, Elbow, SK. S0H 1J0. Arrangements were in care of the Outlook Funeral Chapel
306-867-8255