IRENE MITCHESON passed peacefully at St. Michael's Hospital, on Monday, November 30, 2020 in her 84th year.  Beloved daughter of late parents Jean and Septimus Mitcheson. Predeceased by her sister Joan. Dear aunt of Janice Gower and her partner Marcos Benadiba (Toronto), Geoff Gower and his partner Alla Arshakyan (Toronto) and Leslye Gower and her husband Kevin Estey (Huntsville). She will be fondly remembered by her great nieces Laura Estey and Keely Gower as well as her extended family members and many dear friends in Toronto, Montreal and throughout Canada.

Born and raised in Montreal, Irene devoted her life to caring for others.  She obtained her registered nurse diploma from the highly respected Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal in 1958 and her Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from McGill University in 1975. 

She held several positions at the Royal Vic and at the time of her move to join the rest of her family in Toronto in 1979, Irene was Head Nurse of the Outpatient Department.  In Toronto, Irene was Nurse Manager on the Obstretrical and Special Care Nursery unit at Toronto General and later was Project Co-ordinator at Toronto General, serving as Accreditation Co-ordinator, Chair of the Emergency Procedures Committee and Chair of the Nursing Practice Committee.  Irene joined Toronto Public Health as a Public Health Nurse in 1993 where she was particularly interested in and assisted high risk parents and pregnant teenagers.

Throughout her life, Irene was active in the community. She volunteered with the Toronto Film Festival, World Youth Day, Care Watch Ontario (a senior citizen-led advocacy for home and community care), and Canadian Pensioners. She also also a very active member in the two co-operatives in which she lived. Irene was an avid bridge player, photographer and world traveller.

She was a friend, mentor, support to many and always ready to listen. Irene always spoke her mind and let you know when her viewpoint differed. This strength of character made her a great advocate.  Irene will be greatly missed.

The family is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support from her friends who are like family to her and especially from Ellen Hill who has been an angel.  They are also grateful to the caring and attentive staff at St. Michael's Hospital who made her last days an easy journey. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. Due to current covid restrictions, a celebration of Irene's life will be held at a later date.