CHRISTENSEN, IRENE GERTRUDE - The death of Irene G. Christensen of Calgary occurred on September 20, 2012. Born in Saint John, NB, she was the daughter of the late Hugh Thomas and Gladys Gertrude (nee Brown) McHugh. She grew up in Saint John's North End and attended St. Peter's Church and St. Peter's School. Being the eldest girl, she took on many responsibilities at an early age. Mature for her years, she baptized two of her siblings, born at home, who lived only hours. Irene later became a military wife and traveled extensively with her late husband Frank Lannan. They were the parents of three fine sons: Wayne, Barry, and Bradley. Years later, she worked as a cook at the Huskey Restaurant in Calgary. She married her second husband, Harry Christensen, of Mountain Home, Arkansas, and they traveled throughout the United States briefly. Irene was widowed twice and lost her beloved son, Barry, unexpectedly. She is survived by her son Wayne (Candy) Lannan; her grandchildren: Kelly, Marcy, Kristy, and Ryan Lannan, all of Calgary, AB; sister, Donna (Ernest) Blanchard; and sister-in-law Lois (Ron) McHugh, both of Saint John, NB. She was predeceased by her son Barry Lannan, and husbands Frank Lannan of Calgary, AB and Harry Christensen of Mountain Home, Arkansas; her sisters Greta Whitenect and Shirley McHugh, both of Saint John, NB; brothers Raymond McHugh of London, ON, Ed McHugh of Toronto, ON, and Norman McHugh and Ronald McHugh of Saint John, NB.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Mark's Catholic Church, 171 Pettingill Road, Quispamsis on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 10:00 AM. A private family interment will take place at a later date. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to St. Mark's Church Building Fund or any local food bank.