Obituary of Irene Helen Delaney

It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of Irene Delaney (nee Dzyngel). She died peacefully at The Ottawa Hospital General Campus on Friday, April 24th, 2020 in her 97th year. She succumbed to complications related to COVID-19. She was the beloved wife of the late Desmond Delaney and she was the dear mother of Jerry (deceased), Leslie Anne Patry (Alfred) and Phyllis (Angel) Kilby (Howard); Loving grandmother to Christianne (Attila), Mathieu (Valerie), Samuel and Alexander. Cherished great-grandmother to little Leo. Predeceased by sister Mary and brothers Bill and Ed. Irene was a devoted wife to Des and loving mother to her three children. She dedicated herself to her son Jerry who lived with Down Syndrome. She surrounded him with Love, family and opportunities to thrive.Jerry especially loved it when she baked her famous chocolate cake or butter tarts or date squares or cherry pie. She was an inspiration to all of her children. Irene was also very devoted to her faith and community, volunteering at the catholic church and at the Almonte Hospital. She loved to cook and bake and be surrounded by family and friends, but most of all she loved to read. She passed on her appreciation of reading to her grandchildren, reading them classics such as Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys and funny books such as “Walter the Farting Dog”. She also loved to read to her new great-grandson Leo even though he is only a few months old. Let’s just say that he already knows “Walter”. Irene read the newspaper every day her entire life and was proud to say that she read every page. The delivery of the Ottawa Citizen was never more important than during this time of isolation. She read her beloved Ottawa Citizen newspaper without fail, every day at her long-term care home. When no one could visit her, the Ottawa Citizen was always there to provide her with company. Irene loved to feel and look beautiful and just beamed with joy after getting her hair done and putting on the perfect shade of lipstick. A private ceremony will be held in the near future with Irene’s immediate family. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to each of every staff member at the General Campus of The Ottawa Hospital, on units 7E and 6NW for their exceptional care and compassion. We would like to so send a very special thank you to all of the caregivers, staff and volunteers at La Résidence St. Louis, for their LOVE, professionalism and compassionate care that they provided to Irene over the last few years. We are forever grateful. Those wishing, may make memorial donations to L’Arche Arnprior, 16 Edward St. South, Suite 103, Arnprior ON, K7S 3W4 or online at www.larchearnprior.org OR to Bruyere Foundation https://www.bruyere.org/en/waystogive and please specify that the donation is to go to La Residence St. Louis.