Irene Wilson

(nee Trachuk)
March 27, 1949 - January 12, 2024

Irene Wilson was born on March 27, 1949 on a snowy spring day at the family farm, in Zbaraz, Manitoba. She was the 6th child to Elizabeth (as nee Obzarski) and Charles Trachuk and became a big sister to four more siblings.

Irene loved growing up on the farm with her 9 brothers and sisters, and many cousins, aunts and uncles, and great-grandparents that lived nearby. Family was everything to her, and she shared many stories about her childhood. In her early years she attended Barrie School and Fisher Branch Collegiate. Following high school Irene, who always took pride in her hairstyles, moved to Winnipeg to pursue her talent and interest in hairdressing. Although she would continue to spend countless days visiting The Farm, Winnipeg became home as she had established her roots in the “big city”. 

In 1968, Irene married Loyd Wilson, and they had two wonderful children. The first a son, Lonny, who was the apple of her eye. Next, she had her daughter, Shawna, who would ultimately be there for Irene for all the ups and downs of life.  Irene loved being a mom and continued to have close relationships with Lonny and Shawna over the years, even when distance separated them. Her children were always there for her when she needed it most.

Even though Irene changed professions shortly after she was married, she continued hairstyling for family and close friends. Many remember coming to her home for perms, haircuts and colours. Since she didn’t have a hair salon, all styling happened in the kitchen. If you were small, you sat on a large Queen Anne pot on top of a chair to have a haircut, while your mother’s perm developed. 

Years later, Irene and Loyd divorced, and Irene went on to continue her post-secondary education by enrolling at Herzing Career College. She loved being back at school and excelled in every course. From there, she found employment with the Federal Government and pursued a career with the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA). She worked there for many years until she retired. 

Irene loved to talk, and oh was she good at it. She made sure to practice whenever and wherever possible, and anyone who met Irene would agree. She was engaging, and funny, and known for her ability to make people feel welcome, heard, and cared for. She possessed all of these characteristics; all the while she had been born deaf in her left ear, and later in life had further reduced hearing in her right ear.  She learned to deal with this disability and persevere even though it was often difficult to hear when others spoke.  Thankfully she didn’t need to worry about this whenever she was at one of the Trachuk homes, as the volume was always high and there were often more simultaneous conversations than people in the room. The Trachuk's were known for being a lively, boisterous family, with a home full of love, laughter and a few arguments amongst brothers and sisters.

To Irene there was nothing more important than family, and embracing her Polish roots, which are values she carried and shared her entire life. She deeply loved her children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.  She cherished all of the family meals, parties, weddings, card games and everything else. She was well known for her “visiting” skills and culinary talent. Everyone loved her cabbage rolls, perogies, poppy seed cake, nalesniki and matrimonial cake. She was not just good at cooking and baking, she was a pro. She spent endless hours in the kitchen with her sisters, enriching her life and theirs through chatting and making family recipes.

Irene could spend hours visiting someone in person or talking to them on the phone. She loved being around others and was thoughtful about how they were feeling and what they were going through. She assisted the family with childcare, cooking, baking, gardening, pickling, and canning, painting and wall papering, etc. She was someone her family could count on when they needed help and support, even when her own cup may not have been full. She genuinely loved helping others. 

As Irene aged, she continued to have a close bond with her family and children. She was happy.    But once Irene became a grandmother, she was overjoyed.  She loved spending time with her grandchildren. Her son Lonny, and his sons Aaron and Ryan, were her boys. Even though they lived in Edmonton, Irene visited them often and spent the majority of her time playing with her grandsons. After they grew up, she continued to visit so she could cook them all their favourite meals.

Later her daughter Shawna had a daughter of her own, Olivia. Since Olivia lived in Winnipeg, Irene spent countless hours with her sweet, little Olivia. They developed a strong bond since Irene was a dedicated grandma who took pleasure spending time with her granddaughter. The two of them constantly played and cuddled while reading books. Olivia also loved to play pranks on her Granny. Irene started to teach Olivia how to cook as soon as she was old enough to stand by the counter and stir. Some of their favourite recipes included: pancakes, crepes, giant apple pancake, French toast, homemade pizzas, and cinnamon buns.   

Irene also enjoyed spending time with her cousins, and friends. They often played cards and had elaborate meals. She enjoyed going to Salisbury House for coffee and a cheese Nip and could spend hours catching up with whomever she was with. To Irene these events were incredibly important to her, and she valued each moment.

In the past few years Irene lost her brother Eddie, sister Gladys, and brother Danny. She missed them dearly. She is survived by her sisters Carol, Virginia, Mildred, Marilyn and Lorraine; and her brother Frank. They will all miss her beyond words.

There’s so much more to say about Irene. Unfortunately, she passed away suddenly on January 12, 2024. She was only 74 years old. The family thank the first responders and doctors, nurses, and staff at the St. Boniface Hospital Emergency. They tried their best and treated her with dignity.

Irene, mom, grandma, granny, sister, sister-in-law, auntie, cousin and friend, you are loved and missed.  You left us too soon, and too suddenly. We will always remember how you touched our lives and how lucky we are to have known you. We will remember the good times and the bad, and most of all we will remember YOU. 

Love, Your Daughter, Son, and Family

XOXO

Please note, the family will celebrate Irene privately at a small gathering at the end of January.
A larger celebration of her life will be held at a later date during the summer.

The family expresses that there is no need to send flowers. Instead, please donate to your favourite charity of choice, or pay it forward by helping someone out.

Branch & Pyre Cremation Care