Obituary of Irene Gildner
GILDNER, Elizabeth Irene (nee McKenzie)
July 17, 1928 to May 18, 2024
Elizabeth Irene Gildner—our Mother, our Grandmother, our sister and our dear Auntie—chose the evening of May 18th 2024 to join those by whom she was predeceased—her beloved husband Cameron, her son Tom and her sisters Mary Murrell (Bob), Clare Poste (Doug) and Joan Morris (Kris). Mom passed peacefully with birdsong playing in the background—chosen for her by the wonderful staff at Gateway Haven in Wiarton. Fred and I have deep gratitude to all those who cared for mother over those so many years. Irene loved being part of the Oliphant McKenzie Clan. She was one of 25 children born to the offspring of Murdock and Elizabeth McKenzie. This included her father Thomas, her uncle William McKenzie and her five aunties - Annie Winskill, Hannah Hutchinson, Violet MacDonald, Christine Moore, Claire Wollrich and Cicely Brough. She cherished her 24 first cousins and all of their offspring (total number, 67). Irene was a second mother to many of our generation. She adored her mother and father, Tom and Elizabeth McKenzie, operators of Oliphant’s McKenzie Store. Mom and Dad followed in her parents footsteps, by taking over the general store and running Cam-Rene Cottages and Campsite. Generations of Oliphant Campers (from the shore and the fishing islands) were good friends to Mom and Dad. Her true love was her husband Cameron, and her children Tom, Elizabeth (Diane) and Fred (Penny). Both Mom and Dad had a special place in their hearts for their grandchildren Brennen Gildner and Brittany Mahood (Jeremy) and Brittany’s children Grayson, Everett and Holden. Also remembered by sister-in-law Marion Stephenson and brother-in-law Bill Spence (Beth pre). Mom enjoyed several years of marriage with John Good. John and mother enjoyed boating, to the North Shore Hunt Camp and spending winters in Florida. Irene Gildner was kind and generous to all those she met, and she was deeply involved with her community and her church. She was an athlete, a poet, the charter Regent of the White Cloud Chapter of the IODE, an avid bridge player and an Oliphant Regatta Champion. She will be missed but never forgotten.
Family and friends are invited to share memories at the GEORGE FUNERAL HOME, Wiarton on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The funeral service will be conducted from the Frank Street Baptist Church on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Interment Balsam Grove Cemetery, Oliphant. Expressions of remembrance to the Frank Street Baptist Church, the Oliphant Campers Church or the Nature Conservancy of Canada would be appreciated. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family through www.georgefuneralhome.com
