BISHOP, Mary Irene (neé Lowery) - (July 26, 1929 - May 23, 2020)
Irene, in her 91st year, started her eternal journey peacefully in her home, with her devoted three children at her side on Saturday May 23, 2020.
When she died, you could hear birds singing and the happy voices of children playing nearby.
She was the beloved wife of the late Ross Lee Bishop (1991).
It was her wish to receive end-of-life care in the home she and Ross built to start their married life in 1954.
She was the much loved only child of the late Everett Francis Lowery, GM Retiree (1988) and Mary "Evelyn" Mulligan RN (1975).
She and Ross were married by then Fr. Paul Dwyer (later installed as Monsignor Paul Dwyer) on July 1, 1954.
Irene is the dearly loved and honoured mother of Jane McAteer (Richard) of Oshawa, Lisa Bishop (Lionel Ulrich) of Delhi and Tim Bishop (Mika Nonoyama) of Toronto.
Cherished Nana to Kevin (Rachel), Brian, Katie, Chrissy (Tyson), Michiko and Lee, and her infant great-granddaughter Lorelei. Dearly loved by late son-in-law Marc Thysman (Lisa) (2011) of Delhi, and her nieces and their spouses, the Ballan Girls (daughters of Ross's late sister June Bishop & Bill Ballan): Dora Ryan (Jim), Peggy Zammit (Paul) and Laurie (Doug) Beaton.
Born and raised in Oshawa, Irene proudly told people she lived in only two houses her entire life.
She was cherished best friend of Margaret Healey (McLean) from age 5 years til Margaret's death in 2015. (80 years). Missed by The Healey Girls: Diane Booth and Barbara Sully who knew her as Auntie Irene. Many people thought Irene and Margaret were sisters.
She belonged to two ladies clubs composed of childhood friends from the McLaughlin Blvd. neighbourhood and Oshawa High School (later O'Neill), started right after high school.
These ladies met monthly, supported and cared for each other through life, and for Irene, she was a member for 73 years.
Irene worked as Bell Telephone Operator and Trainer in Oshawa, Oakville and Peterborough, and Receptionist at Field Aviation, Oshawa Airport, where she loved the excitement of the emerging aviation industry in the early 1950's in Oshawa.
Devoted Homemaker and office support for her husband's business, Lee Bishop Radiator Repair (Bond St. and later Wentworth St., Oshawa til it closed 1983).
Served as Tawny Owl along with Gloria Smith as Brown Owl for the 28th North Oshawa Brownie Pack at St. Joseph's School in the early to mid 1960's. Supported her daughters through the Girl Guide organization, and swimming lessons, and her son through the Boy Scout Organization and Ski Jumping.
A life-long member of The Roman Catholic Faith, first, St. Gregory the Great, then as Oshawa grew, St. Mary of the People, and lastly, St. Joseph the Worker Parish. She was a long-standing member of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada.
She loved to travel, having visited over 80 countries in her life. Her suitcase was almost always ready to go on another trip or winter getaway. In her youth she enjoyed snow-skiing and loved swimming her entire life.
Irene enjoyed the family cottage at Canal Lake she and Ross purchased in 1969, where many fun times were had with family and friends. The Bishop Family Cottage has been the source of great memories for many.
Irene was the recipient of The Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow (Plus 2) Recognition for her commitment to helping her community and support of The Rotary Foundation. She always enjoyed supporting organizations by purchasing their raffle tickets and won two cars in her lifetime.
She will be remembered for her devotion to her faith, to her family, her generosity, her love of sweets, and whimsical sense of humour and of course her lovely smile and Irish twinkle in her eye. Irene will be missed by her many friends in the community. She always left people feeling good about themselves and enjoyed conversation.
Thank-you to Family Physicians Dr. Betty Ballard (retired), Dr. Kevin Lee, and The Central East LHIN Palliative Home Care Program, in particular her Primary Nurse Valerie Parkes RN for compassionate, respectful care for Irene and her family.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private Roman Catholic family graveside service and burial, officiated by Fr. Eric Mah, has occurred at Resurrection Cemetery, Whitby.
A Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Oshawa, and good old fashioned Irish "Celebration of Life" will be held at a later date when gatherings are permitted.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to "The Rotary Foundation - Canada", c/o The Rotary Club of Delhi.
Please direct your donation by cheque to either McINTOSH-ANDERSON-KELLAM FUNERAL HOME, 152 King St. E., Oshawa (905-433-5558) or mail to: The Rotary Club of Delhi, 605 Gage St., Delhi, ON, N4B 2G4. Charitable Tax Donation Receipts will be issued.
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage relatives and friends to express their sympathies and condolences online at makfuneralhome.com.
{fastsocialshare}