Obituary of Irene Mary Black

February 8, 1946 – Nuremberg, Germany

March 8, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Irene Black, beloved wife of John Black, of Calgary, AB, on Friday, March 8, 2024, at the age of 78 years.

Born in Nuremberg, Germany, Irene immigrated to Canada along with her parents and brother Peter in 1950. They arrived in Coleman, AB, and eventually settled in Calgary.

Irene attended Western Canada High School and the University of Calgary, graduating with a Bachelor of Education. She taught for 25 years in the Calgary Separate School System as an elementary and corrective learning teacher. The CSSB superintendent at the time, Bill Dever, called Irene the finest corrective learning teacher in the system. “High Praise.”

Irene enjoyed the great outdoors. She golfed in Scotland, skied in Switzerland, and hiked the Rocky Mountains. She had a passion for skiing; her best days were carving many turns at Lake Louise and Sunshine Village. A member of the Calgary Senior Alpine Ski Club for many years, she was also a long-time and active member of Silver Springs Golf and Country Club. Additionally, Irene had a love for all kinds of music and played the piano frequently. She always had a novel on the go and her home contained a small library of many subjects.

Every summer for a few weeks, she and the Black family clan would gather at the cabin on Harrison Lake, BC. Irene enjoyed time on the dock, hiking, and playing golf, followed by happy hour and dinner on the patio. Great memories.

We all loved her strength of character, common sense, and her positive, fun personality; she made a difference to so many. We were blessed to have Irene in our lives. One of her favourite sayings to John and her two boys was, “Do your best and leave the rest to God.”

A special thank you goes out to the Medical Assistance in Dying (M.A.I.D.) doctors, nurses, and caregivers who eased the incredible levels of pain from stage 4 pancreatic cancer, allowing her to end her suffering and to die with dignity.

Besides her loving husband of 57 years, Irene is survived by her children, Brendan (Karly) of Vancouver, BC, and James (Tera) of Charlotte, NC; her four cherished granddaughters, Emilee, Helen, Hayley, and Cassidy; and her brother Edward Figiel of Calgary, AB.

Irene was predeceased by her parents, Jozef and Paulina Figiel, and her brother Peter.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Irene’s family here.

In living memory of Irene Black, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.