Irene Logan passed away peacefully at home with family by her side. She was 95 years old.
Irene was born in Fraser Lake, B.C., one of eight children. She grew up on a farm and her love of animals and the great outdoors was apparent from an early age. Irene excelled at both her academic studies and at sports. Her favourite subjects were science and math, and she was a star at track- and-field, softball and ice hockey.
At sixteen she left home to go to Vancouver and take a job at Essondale Psychiatric Hospital as a nurse, to earn enough money to attend university. Though challenging work, she loved her patients and was known for her incredible kindness and strength. Irene later attended UBC, getting her degree in education. She was an honour-roll student.
Irene became a schoolteacher even before she had earned her teaching degree. In a one-room schoolhouse on Nithi Mountain, ten miles into the wilderness from Fraser Lake, she taught six grades.
Only eighteen-years old, she lived in a small cabin and traveled on horseback to the school. This was the start of a long career as a teacher, working at Hedley, Coalmont, Tulameen and then Princeton for many years. She was known for being a patient and compassionate teacher that went above and beyond to enrich the lives of her students.
Her energy was boundless. Her spectacular annual Christmas concerts were legendary, and she loved taking the kids outside for hikes, bicycle trips and camping expeditions. Over the years, Irene was proud to receive many letters from former students, now grown, speaking to what a positive and lasting influence she had on their lives.
Irene relished hiking, and frequent trips to the Rocky Mountains, ascending the tallest peaks, was her passion. She often spoke of the amazing joy and elation she felt at being immersed in nature. Irene joined the Vermilion Forks Field Naturalists and this became a huge source of happiness in her life - kayaking, hiking and picnicking with a wide group of like-minded friends.
Irene had a huge appetite for adventure and travel. In addition to her many hiking trips to the Rockies, she traveled across the USA, Mexico, England, New Zealand, the Caribbean, and also made a solo road-trip across Canada.
Irene also found incredible joy in her family and loved being a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a supportive mother than encouraged her kids to dream big and believe in themselves.
She also played a big role in her grandchildren's lives - and particularly loved spending time with them outside, hiking "the Loop" or having cookouts. Irene also cherished the several dogs that she shared her life with over the decades. They were her faithful companions, and she was a strong advocate for the joy that comes from sharing your life with a loving pet.
Irene is predeceased by her father Merle Hartman, stepfather Walter Morley, mother Eleanor (Hartman ) Morley, siblings Jerry, George, Eleanor, Fay, and Kathleen, step brother Fred Morley, and former spouse James Logan.
Irene is survived by her brothers Gordon Hartman and Bill Morley, daughters Jo-Leanne Logan (and granddaughters Sheryl Weber and Keri Remple), Gail Smart (and grandchildren Lynn Smart Ridgway and Gary Smart), Jaymie Kennedy (and granddaughters Julie, Carli, and Katelynn Kennedy), and Susan Turner (and grandchildren Chelsea and Logan Turner). Irene is also great-grandmother to five young great- grandkids - Annika Ridgway, Noah and Abigail Weber, and Sloane and Bren Remple.
There will be no service upon Irene's request.
The best way to honour Irene's legacy would be through acts of kindness.
Irene recently wrote: "The news seems so intent on emphasizing the sadness on our planet. But the world is full of beautiful people and glorious deeds - perhaps tiny ones, but still glorious. My advice is to smile at someone every day, and every day do at least one kindness by helping someone, however simple it may be."
Til we meet again, Mom, we'll look for you in the stars. Love you always.
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