Obituary of Irene Mary McKee
Courageous Irene Mary McKee lost her battle for survival February 2, 2021 after a lengthy illness, with her daughter at her side, at Providence Care Hospital. She was in her 97th year.
Loving mother of Elizabeth McKee, she is survived by her dear sister, Diane (Perego), her sister-in-law Shirley (Davis) and many cherished nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her husband, Robert V McKee and two brothers-in-law, Norman and Raymond, and 7 brothers and sisters: Allen, Elizabeth (Daly), Gary, Kathryn (MacKinnon), Robert, Ruth (Parisien) and Robert.
Born the first child to Mary Shepherd and William Case on February 27, 1924 in Winnipeg, she was talented like her mother and developed great expertise in sewing and later knitting, and made many of her own clothes.
She joined the WRNCS (Wrens) during WW2 and was stationed at Moncton in New Brunswick, dedicated to listening for wireless traffic from enemy vessels in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Discharged after the war she worked at Vancouver Wireless Station and met her husband there, marrying and having a child. Later she moved to Oshawa Wireless Station (formerly Camp X) as a military wife and then to Kingston where she worked for Medical Admissions at Queen’s University, rising to Departmental Assistant until her retirement. She volunteered at Kingston Psychiatric Hospital for many years, enjoying her work in the library and interactions with the patients.
She was family oriented, a life long avid reader, and also loved to travel, enjoying trips with friends and family across the globe. Her kind, lovable nature, strength of character, quick sense of humour and easy laugh will be very much missed by all who knew her.
Irene’s daughter extends her deep gratitude for the generous caring and respect given to Irene by Dr. Frank and his team of very knowledgeable doctors, nurses and staff at Providence Care Hospital.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will occur at a later time. Expressions of sympathy, in the form of memorial donation may be made to Canadian Cancer Society/Breast Cancer, Heart and Stroke or Kidney Foundations and much appreciated by the family.
Online condolences may be expressed on James Reid Funeral Home site.
