Irwin – Julia Maxine Irwin of Brooks, beloved wife of the late Albert Irwin, passed away in Brooks on Saturday, July 15th, 2023, at the age of 90 years. Julia was born in Magrath, Alberta on December 31st, 1932 to Lindon and Annie Bone. She attended school in Magrath until the family moved to the Duchess – Brooks area, where she attended grades 5 and 6 at the Clancy School. The family moved back to Magrath for a few years, then back to the Duchess area, where she would finish high school, while living in the dormitory. It was there she met Anne Irwin, who introduced Julia to Albert Irwin, Anne’s brother, and they began dating and eventually were married on October 19th, 1951. They began their life together at the Circle Ranch on the Red Deer River and started a family. They would be blessed with 4 sons, all born between the years of 1954 and 1962. Life was not always easy on the Circle Ranch, there was no power, telephone or running water. Power came in 1964, but Julia did not have the luxury of indoor plumbing until the family moved to the farm in 1970. The Ranch Hill was always in challenge in winter or after a big rain, sometimes they were snowed in for weeks. There were times when she had to have her sons bouncing up and down on the rear bumper to get better traction for the VW. Julia was happy when the family moved to the farm up top. She had many talents; singing, playing piano and accordion and guitar being but a few. Julia could do electrical wiring, double clutch a big truck and was a deadly shot with a gun. She took up photography and took many pictures of family and functions she attended in the community and lots of pictures at weddings. Julia remembered everyone’s birthday and she could be counted on to call you on your special day, if you were in her Birthday Book. In 1986, Julia and Albert moved a big house in and put in a basement. She had many friends in the area, and although she wasn’t a smoker or drinker, could party with the best! Julia was delighted when her grandkids started arriving, and equally delighted for the arrival of great grandkids! She was on her own after Albert’s passing in 2005. Julia began to lose her mobility and moved into assisted living 4 years ago. She endured several COVID lockdowns with the help of an electric picture frame, always delighted to received pictures and videos from family and friends. Julia will be greatly missed by those who knew her best. She was predeceased by her husband Albert; sons Mark and Alan: parents Lindon and Annie and siblings Ray, Kay and his wife June and Colleen. Julia is survived by her sons John (Kathy) and Todd (Debbie); grandkids, Krista (Landon), Mark, Rob (Ilona), Bill (Tara) and Danielle (Simon) and great grandkids, Brooke, Jace, Chelsey, Conner, David, Damien, Sadie, Kylie and Emmie along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends. A Private Family Graveside service will be held at Brooks Cemetery. In memory of Julia, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 2P5.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
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