Irene Hall

Irene Hall passed away in her sleep in the early morning hours of September 27, 2024 after living a life that marked 102 years on September 15^th.

To say that Irene’s life was incredible would be a testimony of the resilience, steadfastness and determination that she was forced to learn at a young age to become the person she was.  When she was eleven years old she was placed in a home in England with other children whose parents were unable to care for them.  Her departure from there at the age of 16 was soon followed by World War 2 and she found herself working midnights in a factory where they made bombs and folded parachutes for soldiers (a story that her great grandson loves to tell).  As her life unfolded, she met a young man named Albert Hall and they fell in love with each other.  In the days when she also worked late shifts as a barmaid, she saved Albert the good cigarettes and he brought her nylon stockings, both things that were scarce during the war.

Irene and Albert married and prior to their departure to Peru for three years, they became parents of two daughters Lynne Gardiner (late Bill Bourdeau) and Irene Hall.  The rest of their family who were born in Canada includes grandchildren Heather Gardiner (Franco Palazzi) and Melissa & James Traxler and great-grandchildren Hunter Baylis, Rylan Traxler and Grace Traxler.

“Nanny” as she was known to her granddaughters was one of the strongest willed women that they knew.  She was a cheeky tiny British lady who was spoiled by Albert who brought her a cup of tea every morning in bed complete with a cup and saucer.   Their love was exceptional and rare…when they kissed, they would always give three pecks.  Irene made amazing Yorkshire pudding, mincemeat, buns and yummy crispy pancakes.  She loved games and was known as the family cheater!  If you ever had the chance to play the game of Sorry or Haymarket, you always lost!   She loved soap operas and was an avid watcher of All My Children and One Life to Live until they both went off the air.  She loved to gamble, play scratch tickets and the slots.

Although the beginning and the end of Irene’s life presented challenges, the dash in between was a beautiful one.  Although her eyesight and hearing failed her in her final years, she looked forward to daily visits from Irene and Lynne who made sure she knew how much she was loved.

Visitation for Irene will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Tuesday October 1, 2024 from 11:00 – 11:30 which will be followed immediately by a funeral service conducted by Reverend Wanda Burse.

Friends wishing to remember Irene with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Blenheim Health Hub https://blenheimhealthhub.com/donate/ or the Chatham-Kent Hospice https://chathamkenthospicefoundation.com/donations/.