July 26, 1925 - April 10, 2025
A Memory of Life
In loving memory ~
It is with sadness that the Podetz family announces Irene's passing at the AgeCare Malaspina Care residence on Thursday, April 10th, 2025. Irene was 99 and would have reached her 100th birthday on July 26th, 2025.
Irene was born in Germany and at a young age her parents and brother immigrated to Canada prior to the Second World War in 1931. Her parents bought a farm near Drake Saskatchewan in 1935. She was the second eldest raised in a family with six siblings - Harold, Paul, Edward, Angela, Esther and Wally. Her childhood and early teenage years were spent growing up on the family farm near Drake Saskatchewan.
At some point in her late teens Irene moved to Boston Bar and worked in a Canadian National Railway (CNR) restaurant where she met her deceased husband, George Podetz. George was the telegraph lineman responsible for communication operations for the Boston Bar region. They fell in love and were married in an Anglican church in Boston Bar on September 3rd, 1948. The career of a telegraph lineman took George and Irene to a couple of other BC communities after working in Boston Bar - Red Pass and Birch Island. During their time in Boston Bar Doug the elder sibling was born in Lytton in June 1949. During their time in Red Pass Bruce was born in Jasper in May 1951.
In 1952 George acquired a permanent position as a telegraph lineman and the Podetz family moved to Birch Island. The younger sibling Catherine was born in Kamloops in April 1956.
During the 50s there were several joyous family moments - Christmases, hockey, skiing, summer sports and doing a family trip to Alberta in the new 1958 Ford. Visits to Jasper, Columbia Icefields and Banff hot springs and George's brothers and sisters in Canmore and Calgary are memories to be cherished.
Unfortunately, life changed for Irene in 1959. At a young age Irene lost her loving husband in a railway accident in March 1959. This was a difficult year for Irene, having to adjust to being a single parent and having to raise a young family. Her faith in the Lord and support from the community and her amazing love for her three children, Irene, made unbelievable sacrifices to get through a couple of difficult years. She was determined to be independent and acquire an income to support the family. She acquired her driver's license, took on employment as the Birch Island elementary school as janitor, and was the Clearwater Library assistant for several years.
The Birch Island and Clearwater community became Irene's anchor for several years throughout the 60s,70s and 80s. Apart from working, Irene completed several English courses through Cariboo College and was an active member within the Evangelical Free Church for twenty- eight years - duties included teaching, Women's Missionary Society, newsletter club, and organizing several club events. Irene also found time to travel to visit her daughter while her husband was on a teaching assignment in Kenya. During the spring Irene would hike up Fowler Hill so she could view the Birch Island - North Thompson Valley. Also, many hours were spent going to sports or club events which her children were involved in.
Irene was very successful in encouraging and supporting her two sons and daughter in achieving post-secondary education training. She had an opportunity to attend graduate degree events for Doug and Bruce and an Early Childhood diploma graduation event for Catherine. Irene relished the career successes of her sons and daughter during the 70s through to 2025.
In 1987 the Podetz family acquired the Forestry house on Lost Creek Road in Birch Island and Irene was able to move into her own home so she could accommodate her grandchildren when they came to visit. The 1987 Christmas provided an opportunity for the Podetz family reunion.
Irene spent a few more years enjoying the Birch Island house, but she realized the house was getting to be difficult to look after. In October 1991 Irene moved to Nanaimo to be closer to her family.
Irene's family will miss her dearly. The Podetz family - Bruce and his wife Vicki and their children - Alexandra, Nathaniel and Matthew; Catherine and her husband Mark and their children - Chrystalene, Laura, April and Jonathan; Doug and his wife Eleanor will remember her smile, humour and words of wisdom. Irene dedicated her life to giving family and friends the help and support they needed. She thrived in providing joy and happiness to those that knew her.
A celebration of life will be held at Sands Funeral Chapel on June 14th at 1:00 PM. The chapel address is 1 Newcastle Avenue, Nanaimo.
Service Details
1:00 PM