Passed away peacefully at The Village on the Ridge on February 5, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Irene was born on August 1, 1936, in Dawn Township to the late Roy and Vivian (Johnston) Morningstar. She shared her childhood with her sister Audrey and many members of the extended Johnston and Morningstar families. She had wonderful memories of time with her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
After graduating from Normal School in London, Irene first came to Blenheim as a teacher at Fourth Line School. She soon met Gordon Campbell at Glee Club and they married and started their life together on the Campbell Century Farm in 1957. They were active in the Ridge Community for over 50 years. She was the proud Mom of Jim (Joy), Bob (Anne), Janet (Jim) Nauta, and Marianne (Shawn) Fenton.
Her family grew to include 10 grandchildren (Aaron, Anderson, Erica, Jessica, Julie, Lydia, Rachel, Ryan, Shauna, Tyler) and 12 great-grandchildren (with one more on the way). Irene enjoyed supporting her grandchildren’s activities and was known for creating lasting memories with them at every opportunity. Her greatest joy was having all the family together for a meal and games.
Irene is survived by her sister Audrey Dawson and her brother-in-law Ward Uffelman. She also leaves behind her dear friends Edith Towsley and Ray Moorhouse and will be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, and neighbours who brought joy to her life. She is pre-deceased by her husband Gordon (2009), brother-in-law Lyle Dawson, and Gordon’s siblings Mac (Ruth), Murray (Norma), Marjorie MacDougall, and Donna Uffelman.
Irene loved farming and nature and had a special fondness for Rondeau Park, where she worked for several years as a teenager and continued to visit her whole life. She also enjoyed playing euchre and pepper and was still winning games at The Village until recently when her health declined.
Visitation will be held at McKinlay Funeral Home, 76 Main Street East, Ridgetown, on Monday, February 9th from 3:00 – 5:30 p.m.
The funeral service is at Erie Street United Church in Ridgetown on Tuesday, February 10th at 11:00 a.m. followed by lunch and a reception. A private family interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery after the reception.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Erie Street United Church or the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre at London Health Sciences Centre would be appreciated by the family.
Visitation
Monday 9 FEBRUARY
3:00 pm – 5:30 pm
McKinlay Funeral Home, Ridgetown
76 Main Street East
Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada
Funeral Service
Tuesday 10 FEBRUARY
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Erie St. United Church
7 Erie St. North
Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada
