IRENE KIROUAC (ROBICHAUD)

Condolences & Memories (13 entries)

• There is a special place within my heart reserved indefinitely for Irene, filled with love and memories. A wonderful mother, grandmother and friend. Generous to a fault. She would often pick up retired priests and sisters and bring them to the early morning mass and return them to their residences before coming to work at the Red Lantern. Irene was never afraid of hard work. Between lunch and dinner shifts she would mix her own special solution to clean all the silver and there were dozens of pieces. Other times, she would spend time in the kitchen making her own delicious chicken pot pies, which she would offer for a lunch special. Once a customer ordered and tasted the pies they would ask the staff if one could be reserved for them on their next visit. Irene would often take a student employee under her wing and I remember this one young girl who had lost her mother at an early age. Irene decided to hold a bridal shower for her at the Red Lantern dining room. Not only did the bride receive a beautiful gift, but every invited guest received a Saint Mary’s Academy cookbook that was published in 1983 when Irene was second vice president. I also remember when another employee worked at the restaurant while battling cancer almost to the end of her life. Irene and the kitchen staff upon hearing of her passing prepared a huge delicious meal for the whole family and delivered it in person. Irene took care of others and let her life speak for her as simply as the birds in the air and the lilies of the fields. You have fought the good fight Irene, finished the race and lived your life with honour and faith! I am so very thankful today, so thankful for when the Kirouac family came to be with us at the Red Lantern and brought with them a wonderful lady. A lady named Irene! - Posted by: Shirley Pantel (Friend) on: Jul 27, 2022

• Adieu chère Mme Kirouac. Vous avez toujours été si sympathique, charmante et accueillante lors de mes visites à la Vieille Gare. Repose en paix chère Madame. Mes plus profondes condoléances à toute la famille. - Posted by: Terry Borys (Friend ) on: Mar 06, 2022

• We are sorry to have lost a friend who came into our lives. Living next door to Fern in Niakwa Park was a special treat as Grandma became one of our neighbours too. It was always a joy to see her arrive daily to visit Fern's to walk the dogs, Dug and Betty. Over the years she never failed to add a sparkle of joy to us and of course to the dogs, plants and other creatures in our neighbourhood. There was invariably a carrot or two left under the tree for the rabbits and some kind words exchanged with Linda and I . She never failed to say something good about everyone and even was willing to forgive Betty for any of her "bad" behaviour! -- always adding she was hopeful for improvement. Our condolences to Fern, Zak, Christopher, and Jonathon--they will surely miss her. Grandma will always be in our hearts. - Posted by: Craig and Linda Henderson (Fern's next door neighbours) on: Mar 03, 2022

• It was an honour and a pleasure to know Irene. We saw each other often at church; she was such a faithful participant in weekday Masses as well as on Sundays. She always had kind and friendly words for everyone. I was always delighted to hear her distinctive Acadian accent, both in English and in French! She was a huge mainstay of the Serra Club who support seminarians, where she'll be sorely missed. Please accept my condolences on her passing. She was dear to us all at Brebeuf. - Posted by: John Tanner (friend and fellow parishioner) on: Mar 03, 2022

• Irene was 1 of the most precious people in my life since I met her in 1997. She was always so loving to me and my son Zac (her grandson). Zac and I were so fortunate that, by the time he was born in 1999, Irene was semi-retired and so had more time to devote to Zac. She and Zac loved to bake together and she would joyfully get down on the floor with him to play when he would spend the night with her. After my mom fell victim to Alzheimer's, Irene became like a mother to me and remained as such till her dying days. I feel so lucky to have been able to see her in the hospital in December and to have shared some very tender moments with her, both of us acknowledging that it was likely the last time I would see her. My deepest condolences to all of the family. I am so sorry I can't be with you at the funeral. I will be attending via zoom and sending you all my love from afar. The world lost a very special woman on February 25th. One that cannot be replaced. - Posted by: Janet Jardine (Daughter in Law) on: Mar 03, 2022

• Mes sympathies à toute la famille! Je garderai toujours un excellent souvenir de cette dame qui était douce, généreuse et attentive aux besoins des autres. Elle était aussi une femme d’affaire ayant pris charge du restaurant La Vieille Gare suite au décès de son mari Fernand. Je l’admirais beaucoup. Encore une fois mes sympathies. - Posted by: Michelle Smith (Friend) on: Mar 02, 2022

• Irene was a very special person to me. We first met when her and Fernie opened the restaurant in St. Boniface and then later moving to their restaurant on DesMeurons. I am so fortunate to have had the pleasure of knowing her. - Posted by: Rita Roeland Borthwick (Long time friend) on: Mar 02, 2022

• Irene and my dearly departed AnnCatherine were great friends; Irene made the absolutely best tourtier which we I enjoyed annually when she donated them to St John Brebeuf parish; She will be dearly missed. - Posted by: Don Gannon (Friend) on: Mar 02, 2022

• Sincere condolences to Mrs. Kirouac’s family. My family lived in Norwood and my parents often frequented La Vielle Gare. On special occasions, they included the whole family. It was the first “fancy” restaurant my sisters and I ever went to. Mrs. Kirouac was always so elegant, helpful and gracious to everyone, young and old. She addressed my parents by name, and, even as they aged and deteriorated, physically and mentally, she was so very kind and understanding. My sisters and I are now in our 70ies, but we recognized her picture in the paper immediately. What a wonderful legacy she has left for her family. You must be very proud. Again, sincere condolences. - Posted by: Kathy Helbrecht (Newman) (Former restaurant customer) on: Mar 02, 2022

• My husband and I offer Fern and the whole Kirouac family our sincere condolences on the loss of your Mother. Prayers for you all as you say your farewell tomorrow. - Posted by: Laura Campbell (Mark Campbell’s Mom/customer ) on: Mar 02, 2022

• Al & Gelinda are sending our Deepest Condolences to all the KIROAUC Family. our thoughts are with you. - Posted by: Gelinda & Al Oze (Friend) on: Mar 02, 2022

• Fernie/Linda/Christine: I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Back in the early 70's i spent a lot of time at your home on Montrose Street. As you may remember there was even a two week stretch where the 6 band members and friends took over the entire basement to record a demo. Not only did Irene (and Fernie Sr.too) agree to let us take over the much of the house, pounding out the same tunes at high volume (over and over again), she insisted on making us breakfast and lunch every day we were there. If that wasn't generous enough already she insisted on throwing a dinner party for all of us after we were done. I can't think of any other parents who would have extended such largess to what was have seemed to most other people to be little more than a gang of long-haired crazies. [Even more amazing when you consider that Fernie Sr. always considered me responsible for killing his tropical fish at one long weekend high school party.] Since then it was always a pleasure to see your Mom at the restaurants where she was always deeply interested in what we were doing. Your mother was the most kind, forgiving and giving parent I had the pleasure to meet. She will be missed. - Posted by: David Jackson (family friend) on: Mar 02, 2022

• Christine, I am so sorry for your loss, I will keep you in my prayers. - Posted by: Jacquie Schimnowski Simpson (School Friend) on: Mar 02, 2022