IRENE GREGUS

1932 - 2010

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass...
It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

Irene Cecilia Gregus (nee Sevinski), loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away in Taber on Sunday, February 21, 2010 one day after celebrating her and John’s 6oth wedding anniversary, surrounded by the comfort of her family.
Irene was born in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan on March 10, 1932. She lived in Maple Creek for five years before moving to Taber where her parents were told there was plenty of work in the beet fields to raise a family. Mom met her first and only love in 1948. They dated for two years before they married in 1950 at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Taber. Our mom was a kind, gentle and nurturing soul. She loved being with her family, especially the little ones. She was a terrific homemaker and enjoyed baking, cooking and canning in the summer and fall so we could enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables in the winter. In her younger days she loved to draw, embroider, garden and play bingo. She was the peacekeeper in the family. She was our strength, she was the glue, we will miss her dearly.
Irene was a long standing member of the St. Augustine’s C.W.L. as well as the Taber Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She may not have participated in the last few years, but she always paid her dues via Aunty Jean or Maria Oevering. She suffered with dementia and alzheimer’s for the last five years of her life and it eventually took a toll on her. She fought hard, but God has other plans for her, now free of pain and sorrow.
Irene is survived by her husband John; children John Jr. (Roxie) Gregus and their children Tiffaney, Shauna and Tosha; T.A. (Willie) Hannah and her daughter Jen (Clay) Angyal (their children Chase and Jayden); Robert (in spirit) & Tina Gregus and his children Chris (Annie Valgardson and their daughter Peytyn), Ashley (Shawn Hillier), Jordan and Kendon; Joey (Teresa) Gregus and their children Brandon and Krystal (Eric) Stolk (their children Tristan, Taylor and Lexi); Shelly (Dale) Sekura and their son Cody. She is also survived by her brother Harry (Jean) Sowinski; sister-in-law Edith Sevinski; in-laws Ann & Alex Astalos, Paul & Linda Gregus, Dorothy Gregus as well as numerous nieces, nephew and cousins.
She was predeceased by her parents Mike & Annie Sowinski; son Robert Lee Gregus; father and mother-in-law Joseph & Mary Gregus as well as her brothers, sister and brother-in-law.
Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 7:00 P.M.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 10:30 A.M. with Reverend Patrick Furtado SAC, Celebrant. Burial to follow at the Taber Memorial Garden.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Irene’s name may be made directly to the Alzheimer Society for Lethbridge and Area, #402, 740 - 4 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 0N9.
We would like to thank Dr. Ikuta, Dr. Christensen and Dr. Beckie for taking good care of our mother. Our heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff at Clearview Lodge, Taber Home Care, The Taber Hospital, Coaldale Extendicare & Taber Extendicare for going that extra mile to make our Mom comfortable and that her needs were met. To Laurie Fajnor-Gregus who took such good care of Mom's health needs. Thank you, thank you. To all her family, grandkids and good friends thank you for taking the time to stop and chat or visit if she was awake, in writing in her book so we knew who visited her that day.To her good friend Maria Oevering for always stopping in to visit and say hello.