Obituary of Irene Marie-Rose Bedard

Irene Marie Rose  BEDARD (nee Seguin)

On July 4, 2023, Irene Bedard, 91, died peacefully at the NBRHC with her surviving children at her bedside.  A broken hip did what 91 years of living could not.  We hate that you are gone, but we are happy you are finally free and painless.

Born June 14, 1932, to Eva (nee Bedard) and Joseph Seguin, Irene lived life to the full.  She loved to swim, dive, dance, sing, bowl, do carpentry, garden, bake, and in her later years, paint, along with so much more.  She was never bored, and always wanted to have something to “do”.  She was a volunteer with Phone Busters for 7 years and could spot a con from miles away.  She never fell for any of those telephone frauds and would warn friends to beware.  Although she was not overtly religious, she did believe and had faith in God.  She was strong willed and a force to be reckoned with.  She didn’t take any guff and she always told you the truth even if you didn’t want to hear it.  Maddeningly, she was usually right.

The last few years of Irene’s life were a struggle as the ugly grip of dementia took hold. The Covid lockdown shut off most of her social connections.  She completely forgot the recipes for all of the fantastic things she baked. The memories of her life flickered and dimmed. But she continued to cherish the warm embrace of family and friends, and find comfort whenever surrounded by conversation and laughter. She never stopped absorbing the love coming from those around her, and she returned it in kind. She never stopped being Irene.

Irene is survived by her daughter Terry and her son Kym (Natalie Bruce), her daughter from another mother Sandra Megens, her grandsons Mitchell and Collin, her great grandchildren Ryker, Hudson and Payton, her sisters-in-law Cecille (Claude), and Lucille (Fred), brother-in-law Don Bedard (Evelyn), numerous nieces and nephews and many caring friends.

Irene was predeceased by her mother and father, Eva and Joseph Seguin, husband Marcel and son Daniel Bedard.

Irene’s family will welcome friends at the Martyn Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 18th, 2023, from 12noon until time for a Memorial Service in the Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 pm. Cremation with interment in the Family Plot in Timmins. If desired, donations to the Alzheimer Society of Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts would be appreciated by her family. Online condolences can be offered at www.martynfh.com

Any man’s death diminishes me

Because I am involved in mankind

And therefore never send to know

For whom the bell tolls

It tolls for thee

                                      John Donne