Irene passed away on Tuesday, December 11 after having suffered a short but difficult illness. Throughout her ordeal, she displayed her characteristic courage and spirit, relating to people around her with good nature and kindness.

Irene is survived by her husband, Andrew; Her children; Andrew Jr. (Trish) and Lida; Her grandchildren, Elizabeth, Ilyana, and Finn; Sister Christine, brothers, Steven (Donna), Terry, (Brenda-Jean), and Andy (Julie); Cousins, George Balko (Talia) and Monica Blaney (Dan), as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews. She is also survived by relatives living in Ukraine.

Irene was born in 1944 in Zahirya, (Загір’я) Ukraine, to Ilarion Czechowskyj (Іларіон Чеховський) and Olha Padokh (Ольга Падох). The family emigrated to the West, transiting through Austria and Germany, as displaced persons. Olha died in childbirth, in St. Agatha, Austria, leaving orphaned, Irene and her older sister, Christine. Their father married Katherine Kellerman shortly before the family’s immigration to Canada, where Irene’s brothers, Steven, Andrew, and Terry, were born.

The Czechowkyj family was characterized by love, loyalty and kindness, and Irene reflected those values in relation to her family, her friends and her community. A friendly smile, and kind words were a gift to many that she met along the way.

She was very much part of her home neighbourhood, and enjoyed the casual, and more formal, social gatherings that she and others organized. She especially enjoyed organizing “Borshch Night” for the neighbours: a follow-up to Ukrainian Christmas.

Her formative years were spent in Calgary where she attended St. Mary’s Catholic school. She always had a sentimental attachment to Calgary, and her school friends.

Irene eventually moved to Winnipeg, where she met her husband. The couple celebrated their 56th anniversary in November, at the hospital.

Irene worked for many years in the River East School Division as Assistant Librarian. Her dedication and resourcefulness were appreciated by her colleagues. She loved working with children and enjoyed the reading sessions with the younger ones. Her love and dedication carried through into her retirement years, when she was on a standing list for substitute work, until her hospitalization.

Irene had a zest for life. Particularly in her younger years, she enjoyed the thrill of the Calgary Stampede, loved sports like skiing, as well as any physical activity and adventure.

She belonged to the Ukrainian youth organization “СУМ” and enjoyed their summer camps. She sang in the Ukrainian University choir, and for a time, was a member of the Ukrainian Canadian Social Service.

Irene was a loving and dedicated wife and mother. Much of her time and effort were dedicated to the care of home and family. She loved animals. Over the years, her animal members of the family included Maggie the cat, and the dogs, Buster and Buddy. She was the staunch carrier of social customs and family traditions, and loved to prepare for family birthdays, and holidays.

Irene loved gardening, and was a tireless worker in the flower bed and garden at home. She cherished her time with her family at the family cottage, where work and relaxation in nature were a constant mix.

The Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel (1442 Main St) in Winnipeg, MB., with Rev. Fr. Bohdan Lukie officiating.

In keeping with Irene’s wishes, another memorial service will later be held in Calgary, at the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, with burial alongside her parents at the St. Mary’s Pioneer Cemetery.

She will be our sunflower in Heaven.

Сміються, плачуть солов’ї

Б’ють крилами  у груди

“Люби її, люби її

Все молодість не буде”