Irene Johnson – 97, Valley, Colchester County. With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Irene Johnson, peacefully, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We remain grateful for her 97 years of life, love and laughter.
Born in 1929, in the tiny community of Lapland, just outside of Bridgewater, Irene was second last of the thirteen children of Edmund and Annie (Crouse) Wambolt. She was predeceased by Glenn Wilbur Johnson in 2006 after 51 years of marriage.
Irene struck out on her own at an early age and headed for Truro armed with hairdressing credentials and an impressive work ethic. She met Glenn through a chance blind date and they eventually married and moved to Upper Stewiacke where they ran the local Irving gas station and lunch counter. They eventually resettled in Truro and then moved to Hilden, raising their three children, Elaine, Peter and Grant. Irene and Glenn were very active in the United Church, and lifelong members and representatives of the Masonic and Eastern Star lodges in Upper Stewiacke. Irene was a fixture in the community dance scene.
She had a strong artistic flair and could turn her hand to many things with great results. She was an avid quilter and a stickler for traditional hand-stitch, selling and donating several dozen quilts over the years. Sharp as a tack till the end, she was as addicted to, as she was skilled at, word puzzles and games. Her competitive nature found a home tending large vegetable gardens at home and at the beloved family cottage at Brule Shore where she enjoyed every single sunset.
Irene was cheery, optimistic and actively interested in the lives of all of the people around her — friends, relatives, neighbors, her children and grandchildren. In later years, she credited her extended longevity to the companionship of her dear friend, Keith Roberts, with whom she enjoyed travelling around the province, experiencing new adventures, familiar places, and breaking out the occasional roadside picnic.
Irene was predeceased by her brothers and sisters, Everett, Earl, Harvey, Harold, Theodore, Avery, Arnold, Aubrey, Mary (MacKenzie), Audrey (Crouse), Helen (Creelman), Frances (Schnare). She is survived by her children, Elaine (Ruben), Peter (Beth) and Grant (Karen), and grandchildren, Avery, Rhys, Benjamin and Henry.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Shirley Richards for her selfless and loving personal care for Irene over the last many years, helping support Irene’s sense of independence.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro, where Irene’s family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Saturday, May 23, 2026, and funeral service 1:30 p.m., Sunday, May 24, 2026. Reception will follow. Interment in Riverside Cemetery, Upper Stewiacke. In lieu of flowers, donations in Irene’s memory are welcomed at Colchester East Hants Health Centre or the NS/PEI Order of the Eastern Star. Memories and words of comfort may be shared with the family at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com