Irene Constance Geoghegan (Purchase)

Peacefully, at the age of 95, Irene Constance Geoghegan passed away at the Carman Memorial Hospital on August 25, 2021.
She is survived by her daughter Shauna(Laurie) Oughton of Carman, MB; her son Michael Geoghegan of William’s Lake, BC; 7 Grandchildren: Michael, David(Nicole), Valerie(Shane), Stephen, Katherine(Dustin), Jordan, and Melanie; 10 Great Grandchildren: Blake, Cadence, Ethan, Dallas, Robert, Kylee, Leelan, Portia, Amara, Chase; and her sister Joyce.
She was predeceased by her parents William and Emma Purchase, her husband Anthony Geoghegan, and her siblings Harry, Ellen, Joan, and Bill.
Irene was born on January 26, 1926, in her maternal grandmother's house in Kings Cross, London, England. She was the third child of William and Emma Purchase. She started her school years at the age of three at Church Manor Way School, and after a move at the age of eleven attended Kings Park School where she met her lifelong friend, Joan. At the age of 14, during the Second World War, Irene was working in a corner grocery store. She spoke of her experiences during the war often, and although it was a terrifying time she spoke of how everyone came together to support each other, and her written words shared that it was during this time that she learned the importance of making the most of her life. Irene loved music, dancing was a favourite pastime, and London had some beautiful ballrooms. On weekends she could be found cheering on the lads at soccer, cricket, or rugby matches.
Irene was 29 years old when she met the “right man”. She found everything she had waited for, one Saturday night in October, at the Hammersmith Palais dance hall. When Anthony proposed by Christmas, she didn’t hesitate to say “yes”. They were married in March in Woolwich, London, England. In the summer after they were married she went to Scotland to meet his family: Patrick, Isabella, Annie, Veronica, John, as well as lots of nieces, and nephews - she adored them all. In June of 1959, they welcomed their daughter Shauna into their family and moved into a house in Kent (a county in southeastern England). This was just one of many moves they would make as a family. On December 5th, 1960, they moved to Australia, where they lived for nine years. During that time Anthony earned his degree in education, and they welcomed a son, Michael, to their family. Eventually, they became homesick for England and made the move back home, but this would not be their final relocation. Anthony had accepted a term teaching position in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, and on August 5th, 1969 they set sail for Canada on board the “Empress of Canada”. Anthony’s career took them next to Thompson, Manitoba, to Carman, Manitoba, and finally, to Princeton, BC. Irene was heartbroken after Anthony passed away far too soon on October 9th, 1987. After his passing, she moved to Penticton, BC where she lived for many years before joining her daughter in Carman, MB in August of 2018.
Irene loved her family, all of them. She made many trips to Carman, MB, and to Victoria, BC to spend time with family over the years, and was happy to share her home with those that visited her in Penticton. She loved sports (soccer in particular) and especially loved cheering on/telling her grandchildren to “pull their socks up” at their extracurricular events. She liked to be in the know by reading “her magazines” (Us Weekly, People, Star, National Enquirer, etc.) and the newspapers. She knew how to have a good time, and she lived her life to the fullest. She was “one of a kind”, and is missed.
A private graveside service was held at the Greenwood Cemetery in Carman, MB.