Irene Wildgen

A photo of Irene Wildgen

Service:

St. Ursula's Roman Catholic Church, Chatham
Wednesday October 18, 2017
11:00 a.m.

Visitation:

Blenheim Community Funeral Home
Tuesday October 17, 2017
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Parish Prayers will take place prior to the visitation at 1:45

Irene Wildgen of Blenheim passed away at the Blenheim Community Village on Thursday October 12, 2017. Irene was born 94 years ago to Walter & Catherine (McGugan) Knott. She was one of four children and is survived by her brother and sister in law Raymond & Pat Knott of Pickering. She was predeceased by her sister Marie and her husband Jack Hebblethwaite and her brother Maurice Knott and his wife Florence. She is survived by her sister in law Jane Everitt and by her nieces and nephews who she thought of as her own children.

Irene was born in London. At the age of 6 her family moved to a house on Jane Street in Blenheim and her dad took a job as a butter maker at the Blenheim Dairy. Irene followed her father’s footsteps in the dairy business, working for 30 years in a clerical position at the Kent Dairy and Purity Dairy. She also worked for a time at Zellers in Chatham.

Irene met a young man named Bob Wildgen and in 1951 they began a journey as husband and wife that would span over 59 years before Bob’s death in 2010. In their semi-retirement years, from 1975 – 1981 Irene and Bob ran the store inside the gates at Rondeau Park. During that time, they lived in a trailer at Wildwood Park during the summer months and spent their winters in Florida. Irene was a hard working, organized and determined lady who lived life to the fullest and believed in God.

Family and friends are invited to gather at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday afternoon where visitation will take place from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Parish Prayers will take place at 1:45 p.m. A Funeral Mass for Irene will be celebrated in St. Ursula’s Church, Chatham where Irene was a member, on Wednesday October 18, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Cremation will follow with a private family interment in St. Anthony’s Cemetery at a later date.

The family would to thank the staff at Blenheim Community Village for the care and compassion that they showed to Irene over the last four years. We especially want to thank you for going above and beyond taking care of her in her final days.

Friends wishing to remember Irene with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Arthritis Society or the CNIB.

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Condolences

My condolences to the family of Irene. It was a pleasure to care for Irene at the Lodge for the past four years. I will remember Irene for always saying "thank you dear". She was always appreciative and kind. Irene was a strong and independent woman who would think of others and care about them. She had a very special heart. She will be missed. May you find peace Irene.

The angels will be blessed to have you in their care. You have always been such a loving, caring aunt whom I cannot express the depths of my love and appreciation for our friendship through the years. It has always been important to me to try and live my life in a way that you would approve of and be proud of my achievements. I miss you so much.... Say hi to Grandma & Grandpa Knott for us. You'll have a lot of catching up to do. Your loving nephew, Ronnie

God Bless you aunt Irene. Memories from the past flood back. A celebration in heaven awaits you with uncle Bob and the rest of the gang. Love. Mary Jane