Obituary of Irene Swift

Swift, Dr. Irene Mavis (née Hamilton)

October 30, 1939-February 3, 2023

Irene was the beloved mother of Andrew (Victoria), David (Carol), and Fiona (Bobby) and dear Grandma/Grammy to Julia, Claire, Naia, Anica, Micah, and Opal. Born in Birkenhead in Cheshire, England, Irene lived in the Wirral apart from ten months when she lived in Prague, Czechoslovakia. She moved to London to begin her medical studies at the Royal Free Hospital, before marrying and moving to Canada in the mid-1960s. Irene began her Pediatric residency at Queen’s Medical School, but took a hiatus to have her three children, as well as to farm 120-plus acres - rearing cows, chickens, ducks, pigs, horses, and rabbits while maintaining a one acre vegetable garden for more than a decade. After thirteen years, she returned to complete her Pediatric residency and became a primary care physician, first for the developmentally disabled residents of Kingston’s Ongwanada Hospital and later those of the Rideau Regional Centre in Smiths Falls. Irene wrapped up her medical career by transitioning the residents of both institutions to community living, while teaching and training their primary care physicians in their specialized medical needs.

Irene was a beloved member of St. James Anglican, Kingston for over 35 years. She actively lived out her faith in all aspects of her life, and thrived in her positions as a church warden, lay reader, and preacher. Irene greatly valued her role as a passionate choir member, a mentor to students from all educational backgrounds, and an accomplished hostess to guests from far and wide. Irene leaves behind her brother Nigel Hamilton (June), two nephews, Mark (Eva) and Tim (Jess), a niece, Cathy (Rick) and their families and was predeceased by her mother Ethel and father Fred.

Please join Irene’s family, friends, and faith community in celebrating her life at St. James’ Kingston (10 Union Street) at 1:00 pm on Monday, February 13th, 2023. In memory of Irene, please send flowers, care of the church, contribute to the Canadian Cancer Society, or donate in her name to St. James’ organ refurbishment (https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/38700?v1=true).

If you cannot attend the funeral in person, the service will be livestreamed and recorded at https://www.youtube.com/c/StJamesAnglicanChurchKingstonOntario