Obituary of IRENE LOUISE GARTNER

IRENE LOUISE GARTNER

November 2, 1963 – April 28, 2025

On Sunday April 27, 2025, Irene Gartner passed away at her home. She is dearly missed by her husband, Murray; their children Emily and Aidan; siblings Don (Pat), Dave, Lionel (Bernice), Tim, Rob (Hahna), Lorne, and Mary (Don Barker) and sister-in-law Crystal. As well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She will be joining her parents Rae and Hilda Carter; sister-in-law Jillian Carter; parents-in-law Cathy and John Gartner and brother-in-law Mike Gartner.

Irene was born in Esterhazy on November 2, 1963. She grew up in and around Spy Hill, Saskatchewan spending time throughout her childhood in the Qu’Appelle Valley. Irene left home as a young adult, living in Regina, White Rock, and Yellowknife before settling in Winnipeg, Manitoba at age 20 to complete her bachelor’s degree in interior design at the University of Manitoba. After graduating Irene went on to have a 30+ year career as a designer, with her care, creativity, and attention to detail gracing homes, businesses, and community buildings throughout Manitoba. Whenever you drove around town with her, she would point out buildings she’d had a hand in designing and tell you stories about the projects. Outside of design work, Irene was also a passionate artist who painted and drew all the time. Her art was never bought or sold but was all over her home and brought her immense joy and personal expression. She was always taking classes and learning new techniques and creating beautiful work that she would declare “fine”.  Her love of art also extended to art history and art museums of which she would happily explore when she got the chance.

In 1994, Irene met her husband and best friend, Murray.  They married in 1996 and went on to have two children who they both adore (you can tell that one of the kids wrote this). Irene was an amazing mother; caring, patient and supportive, happy to spend time with her kids, even as they grew into angsty teens and busy adults. For Irene and Murray, family adventures were a must with and without their children. They travelled across Canada and to Mexico, Europe, and New York. They would visit historical sites and art galleries, warm beaches and distilleries, bringing Irene’s curiosity and calm excitement with them. Irene loved finding a spot in a hot sunbeam to spend her time, especially as she got older and Murray liked nothing more than to find it for her. But Irene’s favourite place was always her own house, which she and Murray fixed up and filled with love and furniture from Kijiji. She loved her home and was passionate about using her design skills to make it her masterpiece, a never-ending journey. Many lazy days were spent by her at home painting, reading, or watching murder mysteries with her enabling husband. She loved to meditate, which allowed her to escape the chaos of life and grounded her in a sense of peace and calm in the moment. Irene’s immediate family was very close, with the four of them spending time together every week. Her home was filled with talking, laughter, teasing, and happiness, much of which she was the source and centre of. She would spend her weekend mornings with family, including whoever was staying with them; reading aloud from the newspaper, debating about the articles and soliciting help with the crossword. Her humour and joy brought everyone together and made many ordinary days into wonderful memories. 

Irene was generous with her time and always sought ways to help others, offering to volunteer for school functions and at Artbeat Studios over the years. She would make time for friends and family as much as she could and would support any cause that crossed her path. One of Irene’s favourite phrases was “where’s your loving kindness?”.  Which she used as a challenge for her and her family to be more empathetic, open-minded and lovingly kind to all people. Her open heart made her beloved by many and she will be missed by her community in Winnipeg and by loved ones across the country.  Her ability to maintain a hopeful, positive outlook was inspiring to all her friends and family.

The family would like to thank the staff at CancerCare Manitoba and the staff at the St. Boniface Hospital ER and Cardiac unit for their diligent care.

A funeral mass will take place at St. Ignatius Church, 255 Stafford Street, Winnipeg on Tuesday May 6, 2025 at 12:00p.m.. Her interment will be at Spy Hill Cemetery, Spy Hill, Saskatchewan on Saturday May 10, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.. Receptions follow at the St. Ignatius Church hall following the service and a reception will follow after the interment at Spy Hill Cemetery in Spy Hill Saskatchewan. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Artbeat Studios (artbeatstudios.ca/donate).