Lois Jean was born on Wednesday, October 8, 1958 at home, in Shallow Lake. She came from a large family and was one of fifteen children. As you can imagine, the size of the family added challenges to Lois’ childhood. She attended both public and secondary school locally until her stepmother died. Lois was only fifteen at the time. She soon moved in with her sister, Betty Wilson, in Keady.
It was during this time, Lois while out biking, caught the eye of a young man by the name of Robert “Darrell” Irwin. Darrell was passing through town and took immediate notice of Lois. He stopped to chat and as the saying goes, the rest is history! The young couple were married on Saturday, April 24, 1976, at the Keady United Church.
The newlyweds called Chesley home for the first few months before they bought a trailer and moved it to a property owned by Darrell’s dad in Elmwood. In 1995, Lois and Darrell removed the trailer and replaced it with a beautiful new home, something Lois was very proud of. Together they welcomed their first son, Jeff in October of 1976 before completing their family with the arrival of Brad in July of 1981. It should not be a surprise that Lois kept busy caring for her young family. She was also responsible for most of the chores around the house as Darrell was often on the road working. It was also during this time that Lois enjoyed playing baseball and was a member of the Bad News Bears.
Once the boys began attending school, Lois began working outside of the home and took a position at Bentinck Packers where she remained for the next twelve years. Following that, she worked at Durham Furniture in Chesley until the closing of the business. Most recently, she worked as a cook in a couple local retirement homes whereby she got to do something she enjoyed all day long… cooking, retiring in 2017.
Although life was often busy for Lois, many memorable memories were made with the boys when they were young on their local fishing trips. Stories were also told of their trips to Canada’s Wonderland, where it was said she enjoyed rides on the Ferris wheel. It was, however, up for discussion whether she enjoyed her time on roller coasters! 😊 In the early 1990’s Lois and the boys traveled west to see her sister and then around 2010 Darrell and Lois took a nice trip to the east coast to further explore our beautiful country.
When not busy with work, or her family, Lois loved spending time in the kitchen. It didn’t matter if she was cooking or baking, she was in her element. Family favourites included her banana bread, blueberry muffins and shortbread cookies. Of course, her talents were self-taught as she was always tuned into the latest cooking show or leafing through one of her many, many cookbooks. When the grandchildren began arriving, Lois was eager to get them into the kitchen as well and enjoyed making a variety of creations with them. No Christmas passed without Grandma helping them bake and decorate their gingerbread houses! In more recent years, she enjoyed sharing her talents with others and was a regular supporter of the Break Bread Community take-out meals in Chesley. It was nothing for her make 100 cupcakes from scratch and donate them to those in need.
Lois loved her cardinals and always enjoyed watching them on their property through the window. She was also a big fan of General Hospital, and it might be said that those closest to Lois knew not to call her during that particular hour of the day! Lol! Lois was a hardworking, caring woman who always put the needs of other before her own. She instilled many of these same characteristics in her children. However, like most of us, on occasion she was also known to be a bit opinionated and determined. She enjoyed her free time and was very comfortable around the house on her own.
Sadly, in recent months, Lois’ health began to decline. She valued her independence and with the help of family and friends was able to live out her remaining months on her own terms. She passed away peacefully at home, on Sunday, August 29, 2021 in her 63rd year.
Beloved wife of Darrell. Loving mother of Jeff (Kyla) of Chesley and Brad (Sherry) of Hanover. Lois will be dearly missed by her four loving grandchildren, Rob, George, Madison and Tyler, many siblings, and the entire Irwin family.
Private services will be held with inurnment to follow in Chesley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Chesley Baptist Church (please make cheques payable to Chesley Baptist Church) for their Break Bread Community Take-out Meal, a program that Lois regularly supported, would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
Darrel and family I am so sorry to hear that Lois passed. I just heard today. Hang on to the Memories.
Doreen Watt.
Thinking of you Darrell and boys during your time of grieving.treasure the wonderful memories.
We are very saddened by the news of Lois’ passing. She was a good neighbour with a warm smile for everyone. We will miss her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
So sorry to hear about your loss. Lois was a lovely lady. Lots of fun. We only heard yesterday. Hope we can get together in the future.
Lois was a loyal neighbour who always had a beautiful smile! I loved her determination & will power to help others especially in the art of baking! What a great legacy to pass on to her family & friends! I will cherish the special memories of Lois as my special friend & neighbour!
May GOD bless you all with His Love, Peace, Comfort & Hope….
Cherish your memories, Remember her love ❤️ for each of you…. Darrell, Jeff & Kyla, Brad & Sherri & families and also to her extended family! 💕
So very sorry for your loss. Focus on the good memories and in time it will get easier.
Our thoughts are with all of you, Darrell, Jeff, Kyla, Rob and George, Brad, Sherry, Madison and Tyler. Sending peace for the coming days and weeks, amidst the sadness and loss, and hopefully smiles and laughter as well as you gather and share many memories.
My deepest condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Darrell, Jeff, Brad and families, we are so very sorry about Lois, she will be sorely missed and extend our deepest sympathy to you. Hold close to your memories.
Darryl and family; We are so very sorry to hear of Lois’ passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Always fond memories of her growing up. So sorry for your loss.
Darrel, Jeff & Kyla, Brad & Sherry; sharing our sympathy with you, we are sorry for your loss.
Darrell, I am very sorry to hear about Lois, my sympathy for you and your family!
I have many memories as a child coming to see aunt Lois with Brittany. She’ll be very missed.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Lois is at peace and pain free now. You have many years of happy memories to help you through the hard days ahead.
Darrell and family
Very sorry to hear about Lois. Cherish all your memories. My deepest sympathy.
So sorry for your loss Darrell and family. She will be missed!
Darrell, Brad, Jeff & Family: Our Deepest Sympathies to each of you from Marvin & Angela
Lois was a great lady. Our condolences to Darrell and family. Cherish the memories.
Darrell, Jeff, Kyla, Brad, Sherry & families. Very sorry to hear about Lois. Sending our sincere condolences.
Darrell, Jeff, Brad and families, we are so sorry to hear about Lois. Our condolences to the family, your in our thoughts and prayers. Cherish the memories.
Darrell and family, I am so sorry for your loss! Bonnie, Lois and I spoke many times about getting our trio together. Lois’ laugh was infectious! We will always remember the good times – as in time I hope you will as well! Love Cathy
So sorry for your loss, cherish your memories.
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our sympathy to all of you.
Darrell, Jeff, Brad and families. I am so sorry for your loss. Remember all the good times you’ve had over the years. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Darrell, Jeff, Brad and families, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Lois was a wonderful neighbour, always ready to sat hi with a smile on her face! We shall miss her.
Darrell, Jeff and Brad and families, So very sorry for your loss. Lois was always up beat and whenever we saw her she always had time to chat. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
We were very sad to learn of The passing of Lois. Our condolences to the family
We are heartbroken to hear of the passing of Lois. Our sincere sympathy Darrell, Jeff, Brad and families for your loss. Keep those special memories close to you during the difficult days and weeks ahead. Thinking of you all.
My deepest sympathy to you all
Darrell and families I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Lois was a lovely person and will be missed greatly by the community.
Thoughts and prayers to the family at this time. Another Angel has received her wings. Rest Easy Aunt Lois
I’m so sorry to hear this. Lois was one of a kind, she made me laugh everytime I saw her. Thinking of all of you. Keep the memories alive. Xoxo
Darrell and Irwin Family,
I am very devastated to hear the passing of Lois. She was a wonderful woman who I am so proud to have met. I did not see her often yet chatted from time to time in which was always an unforgettable chat which was always include tears from laughter. Sending lots of hugs your way and your all in my thoughts.
I am so sorry for such a huge loss! I feel like it wasn’t that long ago that I ran into Lois – loved her humour!! My thinks and prayers go out to Darrell and her family!!!
My condolences to the Irwin family.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Our sincere sympathy Darrell to you and your family
My thoughts are with you Darrell, Jeff, Brad and families. So very sorry for your loss and my sincerest sympathy to all of you. Keep the memories in your heart forever.
So sorry for your loss Darrell and family. Lois will be missed by many she always had a smile for everyone.
We are so sorry to hear this Darrell. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time and sending our sincere condolences.
So Sorry for your loss Darrell
Dear Darrell, I am in shock as I read this. Lois was such a firecracker. I loved chatting with her. I am so sorry to you and your family. We are thinking of you all at this time.
Sincerely Sherry and Roger and Tiffany Caldwell
So very sorry for loss. Thinking of you all.
We are so sorry to hear this. Thinking of your entire family.
Janine, Mike, Cooper and Evaley
Our Deepest Sympathy Darrell and Family
Sending my deepest sympathy…she will be missed by many ❤
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Darrell, Jeff, Brad and family.
So sorry for you loss, Jeff, Kyla and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Amy and Chris
Our prayers are with you all and my condolences, I hope you will find comfort in all the good memories
So sorry for your loss Kyla and Jeff and family! Thinking of you during this time, and hoping you remember all the good times with a smile on your face. Celebrating all she did for her family and communities!