Obituary of Irene Marie-Jeanne Groot-Koerkamp

Irene Marie-Jeanne (Kesteloot) Groot-Koerkamp

19 June 1933 – 16 November 2020

Unexpectedly, yet peacefully, Irene passed on November 16 in her 88th year. Before the war her Flemish parents settled in her birthplace of St. Boniface, Manitoba.  Shortly after, the family returned to Belgium where Irene was raised as the middle child of twelve.  Irene spoke five languages but most proud to be Canadian.  At the age of twenty, she moved back to Canada and met Bernie, the love of her life.  They married in 1956 and renewed their wedding vows in their 63rd year of marriage.  Together they raised three children and predeceased by their infant sons Daniel 1961 and Joseph 1962.

Irene was a devoted wife and loving mother to her sons John and Ron, daughter Monique (Tom Powell).  She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren Jake Powell and Leslie (Owen Herman) who had a very tight bond with Oma.  She was blessed to enjoy almost 2 years with her great-granddaughter Hailey who brought so much joy to her.  And all family was important to Irene being a loving daughter, sister, and tante to many in Canada and overseas.

She lived a colourful life to the fullest believing you must do something amazing everyday and she did, from being a talented seamstress, singing in the Church choir, and as a member of the Dutch Canadian Society.  Irene and Bernie were a pair of slippers dancing the night away to polkas and waltzes.  She was a member of many art organizations including the Brush & Palette Club where she met and painted with many dear friends.  Her motto was if you love something just do it!  It’s either going to work or it’s not.  She created works of art in every medium imaginable.

Irene loved to travel yet she believed happiness is not a destination.  It is a way of life.  Home is where her heart was with her husband sharing their love in their beautiful flower, fruit, and vegetable gardens.  Irene loved to can, cook and bake.  You were always welcomed in her kitchen with a pot of coffee, pie or cookies, homemade bread, and a pot of soup on the stove.

Many people you can live with.  Only one you cannot live without and that is Irene.  Our hearts are filled with sadness in the loss of a kind, patient, and amazingly beautiful woman. 

A mass will be held at St. John the Divine Catholic Church, 390 Base Line Rd W, London, ON N6J 1W1 on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.  Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, as per the BAO, attendance is limited.  Please contact the Funeral Home at 519-652-2020 to register to attend the mass.  Face masks/coverings are mandatory.  Donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, , 110-1525 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario  K1Z 8R9, donorinfo@heartandstroke.ca  gratefully acknowledged.  A celebration of Irene’s life with on-line condolences are available through www.mcfarlane-roberts.ca.   McFarlane & Roberts Funeral Home, Lambeth (519) 652-2020 in care of arrangements.