Passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at Lakeridge Health Bowmanville, after a long battle with heart disease.
Irene Patricia Russell born in Montreal on July 11,1946 to Patrick and Dorothy Riddle, Irene grew up in the cozy suburb of Côte Saint-Luc with her beloved siblings; sister Jean (Mike) and baby brother Steven (Jenny). Much to her parents’ dismay, but wooed by his “bad boy demeanor”, Irene met the love of her life William “Bill” Russell when she was just 15 years old. They went on their first date to the movie theatre to see Elvis Presley’s “Blue Hawaii”. They fell madly in love and were married in 1967. They were inseparable until Bill’s untimely death in 1991.
After living in Toronto for over a decade, Bill and Irene finally settled in Bowmanville in 1981, where they lived the remainder of their lives. In a time of 2.5 children per household, Bill and Irene bucked the norms and raised five children; Kimberly, Laura (Scott), Mark (Laura), Jessica (Olga) and Patrick (Katarzyna) in their prized century home named Norway Cottage, built in 1884
Irene had an incredible work ethic, tirelessly holding down two jobs at times, in addition to being a mother of five. She was a dedicated elementary school teacher whose passion for literacy was prolific through her 28 year career. She earned her teaching certificate from McDonald College at the young age of 19 years old and began teaching grade 2 in Montreal. In Toronto she taught English to Canadian newcomers for five years, and then finally in Bowmanville where she started at Maple Grove Elementary and taught for over 20 years at Waverly Public School, teaching kindergarten and grade 1. Here she always went above and beyond for her students, their parents and fellow teachers, and was proud that many of her students could read chapter books by the end of grade 1! Teaching was Irene’s true calling and brought her so much joy. After she retired in 2011, she continued to volunteer at Waverly, reading with the children several times a week.
Aside from teaching, Irene enjoyed working for the Ontario Jockey Club for over 30 years as a cashier, primarily at Greenwood Racetrack until it closed.
Irene loved to garden, tend to her many houseplants and visit her favourite nursery Vandermeers. She was a prolific reader, often finishing a book in one day! She spent years collecting antiques with Bill, specializing in Upper Canada furniture and outfitting their Victorian home. In her later years she extensively travelled with her travel buddies; sister Jean, brother-in-law Mike and his sister Chris. Together they went to many destinations including Alaska, the British Isles and the Mediterranean to name a few. Irene enjoyed being a grandmother to Jay, Nina and Fiona, and an Aunt to her Russell, Riddle and Hodgson nieces and nephews and their children. She especially loved sending stickers and books to the grand nieces and nephews, inscribing them with her perfect Kindergarten teacher handwriting.
It’s very fitting that Irene passed on the same day as another beloved woman aged 80, Dolly Parton, who also shared a passion for children’s literacy. Her three daughters were lucky enough to take Irene to see Dolly in concert in 2016, and her music was playing in the hospital room when she left this world. Irene loved going to see live music. Celine Dion, Cher, Elton John, Neil Diamond, and her “hunky” boyfriend Rod Stewart were some big highlights in her concert list.
Irene will be missed by so many. Especially her “bumblebees” from the BOAA, her cousins in the “Davey Darlings”, her former teacher colleagues (especially Cheryll, Faye and Nancy), and her loyal brother-in-law Derek Russell (Tina).
Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Irene would have been given a kind word, a helping hand, a dazzling personality, and a dimpled smile that could light up a room.
As per Irene’s wishes, there will be no funeral service but a celebration of life memorial at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to these charities in Irene’s honour. Heart & Stroke Foundation or Raffi Foundation for Child Honouring
