DEA, MARY IRENE (ASSELS) - Mary Irene (Assels) Dea born on January 07, 1923, in Port Daniel, Quebec, began her end of life journey on the 17th day of February, 2012 at the age of eighty nine. Her weary hours and days of pain and her troubled nights have passed. For those of you who did not see her close her eyes, or hear her last faint sigh, Irene shared her recent time in Moncton, New Brunswick with her two daughters Sharon (Larry) and Anna-Marie (Richard) and their families while in the great care of Grass Home in Riverview. Beverly (Norbert) of Ottawa, and John of the Gaspé region complete the family of her pre- deceased (1966) husband, Norman Dea. Irene was the daughter of Elizabeth Vautier and John George Assels. She was pre-deceased by two brothers Earl and Robert (Andréa) and her sister Leona (George). Irene will be missed by her brother Arnold Assels (Anita) of Gaspé and her sister Jean Assels of Montréal. Her grandchildren Anya and Evan (Sharon), Jean-René (Beverly), Raphaël (John), Samuel and Guillaume (Anna-Marie) will lovingly remember their Mama Dea. Irene worked for over seventeen years in the Registrar’s office before retiring from the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Iles. She then set out to actively support her community. Irene served in numerous volunteer capacities; at the Christ Roi (cathedral, Saint Albert parish), at the Centre d’hébergement Mgr-Ross; at the Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu de Gaspé; and at the Centre d’Action Bénévole, Le Hauban Inc. A cause close to Irene’s heart was the plight of women who were in need of support due to hard times. Irene also visited the elderly on a regular basis. She was also well-known throughout Gaspé as the “chauffeur in the little red car” ensuring that those in need arrived at important medical appointments on time. Irene was always someone to contend with when playing Boggle or Scrabble with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed staying up late to finish a crossword puzzle. Irene loved to shop for that so important gift or for clothing in her favorite colors, beige and brown. If you knew her, you were assured to get a card on special occasions with a personalized note. Irene especially enjoyed going to church teas, harvest suppers and bake sales with her special friends. Irene’s family would like to express special thanks to Grass Home (Lynn and John Grass) and their staff, to the nurses from Extra-Mural, to the Doctors: Breau, Mansfield and Searle and to the Moncton Hospital for their dedication and their on-going support. Irene’s fervent belief in God helped her wade through difficult times and maintain a positive outlook on life. Remaining true to Irene’s life and of course her generous heart, it is altogether fitting that she has asked us to complete this homage by expressing her gratitude to those who have touched her life.
A Memorial Service will be held in the spring in Gaspé to celebrate Irene’s life. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ferguson Knowles Funeral Home, 1657 Mountain Road, Moncton (858-1995).
Donations in Irene’s memory may be made to the Canadian Red Cross Society or the Canadian Cancer Society. If you would like to contact Irene’s families to offer your condolences, please send your kind words to
www.fergusonknowlesfh.com