It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, IRENE CONSTANCE BOURASSA. Mom passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 93 years of age.

Mom is survived by her three children, David and Darin Bourassa, and Barb (Greg) MacPherson; her grandsons, Justin and Cody Payne; and great- grandchildren, Dominick, Hayden and Isabella Payne, all of Lethbridge.

Irene was predeceased by her husband Albert Bourassa, sisters, Pearl (William) Kiefuik and Patricia (Roy) Larlham; brother in-law Francis Wright; and her parents, Mary and Thomas Boyda.

Irene’s early education was received at Hyssop School, and followed by junior and senior high at Crystal Lake and Hardieville. She then attended Garbutt Business College, where she took secretarial and bookkeeping. After graduating college, mom went to work at Ellison Milling, where she met the love of her life, Albert Bourassa. They were married August 29, 1953. Mom left the work force when they started their family. Mom returned to work in 1963, driving school bus for many years. A few years later, she went to work as a bookkeeper and deliver person for Hepp’s Auto Wreckers working for them for 31 years

Mom and Dad lived in Fairview Subdivision, where Mom resided until spring of 2022, when she moved into a senior assisted living facility.

Mom enjoyed the outdoors and crafting. We spent time camping as kids, spending many summer holidays in Kalispell, MT. After Dad’s passing, Mom continued camping with Barb and Greg in Montana. She also enjoyed camping with her nieces, nephews and friends in Fort Macleod, where many a friendly golf tournament was enjoyed by everyone, but maybe not as much as Mom enjoyed beating Dad when they went golfing in Fort Macleod.

Mom took after her mother with her craftiness, knitting, crocheting, petite point and needle point. She was a great seamstress, even sewing Albert’s blue jeans.

After Dad’s passing in 2005, Mom and Barb took quilting classes. Mom loved quilting and had a great eye for color and patterns. She made 14 lap quilts for her family, each with special meaning to the recipient, for Christmas that year, in just 10 months.

Mom’s greatest treasure was her three great-grandchildren. Dominick spent a lot of time with his great grandma, watching hockey on TV. When Hayden came along, they both spent time with their great-grandma and their grandma. Having them living beside each other was great for the boys to visit both of them. Isabella came along in 2024 and it was nice to finally have a girl in the family. Mom finally got a great-granddaughter.

A Come and Go Celebration of Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 10:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.

 

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2026-04-28
• Location : Lethbridge, Alberta