Irene Delores (nee: Lewis)
May 15. 1914 ~ Dec. 15, 2006
Peacefully passed away at her home in Mission, with those she loved by her side. Irene was born in Vancouver, and taught school there in the mid 30s. It was in 1939 that she met and married Architect Hans Berchtenbreiter (1891-1958). They then moved to California in 1940 where Hans and Irene set up studios in Los Angeles and Thousand Oaks. Irene was an artist whose favourite medium was clay. In California she worked and Âstudied alongside Peter Voulkos, Paul Soldner and Beatrice Wood, whose works inspired her. Irene returned to Canada and lived in Surrey, then in the 80s settled in Mission. Irene’s bold and whimsical art pieces inspired all those who came in contact with them. Nothing Irene enjoyed more was having someone drop by to have a coffee, talk art, world events and simply enjoy each other’s company. The world lost a woman who lived and breathed art, it was everywhere in every aspect of her life, and she was always planning her next project.
A celebration of her life will take place at the end of January. Please contact Eric Le Blanc 604-826-1270 for information. In lieu of flowers a donation in Irene’s memory to the Mission Arts Council, 33929 First Avenue, Mission BC, V2V 1H1, would be appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to Woodlawn
Mission Funeral Home
604 826-9548