Obituaries

Mrs. Irene Ruth Brault Begin

Sherbrooke, 17 mai 2024

1926-2024

Irene Ruth Brault Begin, 98, peacefully passed away on May 17, 2024, at Grace Village assisted senior living in Sherbrooke, Quebec Canada. She was born in Winooski, Vermont, one of seven children of Emile and Gertrude Brault.

Irene was the wife of Norman Richard Begin who predeceased her and the mother of six children, Susan Begin Buckley of Yarmouthport , Massachusetts; Patricia Diane Begin of Ottawa, Ontario; Janet Begin Richardson of Hopkinton, Massachusetts; Daniel Norman Begin of Ottawa, Ontario; and James Joseph Begin of Sherbrooke, Quebec. She was predeceased by her firstborn son, Thomas Richard in 2001.

Irene was grandmother to Sarah Buckley Rudolph; Marcus Christopher Buckley; Matthew Donald Richardson; Sophie Anne Fidler; Hannah Diane Begin; Cameron Thomas Begin; and Daphne Charlotte Begin.  Irene was great grandmother to Jacob Alexander Rudolph; Charley Ryan Rudolph; Aubree Elizabeth Buckley; Everlee Elizabeth Buckley; Finley Leith Richardson; and Grady Leith Richardson.

Irene worked hard her entire life raising her family. Following moves from Vermont to New Hampshire and Massachusetts, she showed great strength and resilience as she left behind friends and family. She moved in 1970 to Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada where she made her home for over 50 years. Following Norman’s death in 2000, Irene lived independently in her home until she entered assisted living at Grace Village in 2023.

One of her proudest accomplishments was to see that all of her children were college educated, an opportunity she wasn’t afforded. Irene had an amazing mind and loved the challenge of crossword puzzles her entire life. She was an avid reader of novels and an unwavering Boston sports fan.

Irene took up the game of golf when she was in her 50s and started bowling in the same decade. She enjoyed the many friends she made through these activities. She also loved playing card games of all types including bridge and cribbage and was a fierce dominoes player.

Although she never participated in team sports, she loved to watch hockey, tennis and football. She was also an avid golf fan and probably the only resident of her assisted living unit to ask the cable company to add the golf channel to her service. In the weeks before her death, Irene continued watching her Boston Bruins, especially during the playoffs.

Irene’s family wishes to thank all of the staff at Grace Village for the compassionate care and dignity they provided our mother during her entire stay at the residence, especially during her final week of life. From the nurses to the aides; from her hairdresser to the housekeepers; from those who bathed her to the volunteers who decorated the facility for the holidays and then came to sit and talk with our mother to keep her company; everyone working at Grace Village befriended our mother and showered her with kindness, compassion and love. We are forever grateful.

At Irene’s request, a private family ceremony will take place in Burlington Vt in the Fall of 2024.