DOUCETTE, Mary “Irene” (née Mitchell)

October 20, 1927 — September 22, 2026

On September 22, 2026, on a warm Autumn afternoon, our world shifted with the loss of our dear Mother, Irene. It is with heartfelt sorrow, and hearts full of gratitude for a life well lived, that we announce her passing in Kelowna, BC.

Mom was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She would have celebrated her 99th birthday in a few weeks. Born on October 20, 1927, to John and Agnes Mitchell, in Corner Brook, Newfoundland.  She was very proud to have been born on her father’s birthday. Mom lived a long and fulfilling life. Throughout those years, she experienced a rapidly changing world, spanning almost 100 years. She experienced a lot. Alongside her husband, she travelled and lived in several places in both Canada and the United States. They built a life together, had a family, made lifelong friendships, and created countless memories with her family and friends, which will be remembered by all who knew her.

Mom cherished her family. She was no doubt, the heart of our home. There was always a delicious meal or baked goods to be had. It was no easy feat keeping her large family fed. Everyone was welcome around her kitchen table, and when you came to visit, you could always count on a bite.

Mom is survived by 3 of her 5 children, Douglas (Giovanna) of Calgary, AB., Derek (Helen) of St. John’s, NL, and Brenda (Bob) of Kelowna, BC;  granddaughters, Sarah, Stefani (Kevin), and Christina (Justin). She also had 5 precious great-grandchildren, Allessandra, Noah, Patrick, Benji, and Juillett.

Irene was predeceased by many family and friends. More closely, her husband and love of her life, Bernard Joseph Doucette, born in New Waterford, Nova Scotia, in October 1924. They were married in January 1949 in Brantford, Ontario, until Dad passed away in 1994. She was also predeceased by her oldest son, Daniel, in 2014, and her second oldest son, David, in 2020.

Mom grew up in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. Coming from a large Catholic family, she was 1 of 10 children. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Agnes Mitchell, and by all of her siblings: brothers Jerome, Russell, and Jack, and sisters Monica, Helena, Marie, Barb, Loretta, and Ona. Mom also had many nieces and nephews who were dear to her, as well as her long-time friend Mary.

Mom was very proud of her Newfoundland heritage, and loved to tell stories about growing up in Corner Brook. She always spoke fondly about her parents, how her mother would sew her beautiful dresses, and how she would help her father plant potatoes in the garden, and how her dad loved his cod. She said one time, her dad dragged home a cod, longer than he was tall.

Mom was also proud of her Mi’kmaq Heritage, and the fact that her grandfather, Mattie Mitchell, is an historical figure in Newfoundland history. He was a hunter, trapper, and renowned guide. He travelled all over Western Newfoundland in the early 1900s on foot and by canoe.

Her Catholic faith was also an important part of her life. Mom carried it with her through both the joys and sorrows in her many years. She had a devotion to prayer and to the Rosary.

Irene was little in stature but mighty in spirit. She will be remembered for her generosity, compassion, and her acceptance of others. She was easy to make laugh, and loved to break out in song when she heard her favourite songs like “The Wild Rover” and “Danny Boy.” Never knowing all the words didn’t matter to her; she would sing and hum anyway. She loved it when her son-in-law, Bob, sang and played guitar for her. She loved people, nature, and animals. She loved to hear the birds sing and chirp; she loved dogs and always had one. She loved horses too, and always wanted one.

In 2018, Irene decided to sell her house in Corner Brook and move to Kelowna to be closer to her daughter, Brenda. We are grateful for the time she shared with us and were blessed to have had her for so long. Mom will be missed.

In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place, and Mom will be returned to Newfoundland, where she will be laid to rest with her husband Bernie, in the Field of Honour at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in St. John’s.  Bernard Joseph Doucette was a member of the North Nova Scotia Highland Regiment and was a Canadian soldier who landed on Juno Beach, in Normandy, France, on D-Day.

Our family would like to thank all the teams of caregivers who helped care for Mom in the last year or so of her life. We are especially grateful for those that cared for her at David Lloyd Jones Long-Term Care Home.

Springfield Funeral Home in Kelowna, BC has been entrusted with her afterlife care and cremation.

May she rest in eternal peace with God, and sing with the Angels. “Good nite Irene, I’ll see you in my dreams”.

Look for me everywhere because that’s where I’ll be

In the hush of the morning, in the pull of the sea. In the rain on the window. In the bend of the trees. In the sun finding cracks where the dark used to be.

I’ll be there in the quiet, in the first falling snow, in the song that finds you when you need me to show. Love doesn’t leave when a heartbeat is gone. It moves into everything and keeps living on.

So when missing me is more than you can bear, remember you’ll find a little of me everywhere.

Author unknown 

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