Obituary of Irene Pincombe

Mildred Irene Pincombe (nee Lewis) died suddenly though not unexpectedly on Saturday, October 20th, 2007 aged 100 years. She resided at Sprucedale Care Centre, Strathroy since October 2004. She was born April 13th, 1907 to Albert Edward Lewis and Ann Elizabeth Tomlison, farmers on Lot 24 Con 1 SER Adelaide Twp, the third of nine children and attended Adelaide S.S. #3 School. At age 12 years she passed the High School Entrance and attended Strathroy Collegiate. In her teens she "worked out" including a year in Lansing USA, and attended dance parties at Craithie Hall. She married Cecil Emerson John Pincombe on May 7th, 1927 when just 20 years old. Her parents in law being deaf, she learned sign language and during her 70 years on Lot 3 Con 7 Lobo Twp., she often entertained deaf relatives and visitors. She was an active member of the Church of Christ, Poplar Hill, the Ladies Aid, Gold Creek Community Club and the Women's Institute. She lived independently until age 97, and celebrated her 100th birthday at the Farm last April. Her feisty spirit, her work ethic, her sense of fun, her generosity and bountiful table were admired and appreciated by family and friends alike and she will be missed by a wide circle. Remembered with love and gratitude by daughters Carol Ann (Michael Holt) of Victoria BC and Diane Elizabeth (Ken Veldhuis) Poplar Hill: grandchildren Christopher Eric Holt (Kerry), Victoria BC; Samantha Irene Holt Gibson (Robert), Oxenford, Queensland, Australia; Jill-Anne Maureen Veldhuis, Montreal; Caroline Elizabeth Veldhuis, Geneva; Liza Marie Veldhuis (Carsten Reichel), Freigurg, Breisgau, Germany: and great-grandchildren India Holt and Brenton and Elly Gibson. Irene is also survived by her brother Lorne ('Bus') and sisters-in-law Rose Lewis and Norma Lewis. She was predeceased by her husband Cecil (1984), grand-daughter Emily Nicole Veldhuis (1974), sisters Jean Wardell (2004), Ida Meadows (1996), Verna Dennis (1994) and Alma Crawford (1969) and brothers John L. (1992), George ('Short') (2002), and Roy (1936). Visitation will be held at Denning Bros. Funeral Home, 32 Metcalfe St., W, Strathroy, on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM, where the funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at 1:00 PM with Rev. Charles Seed officiating. Interment at Poplar Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Irene to the Family Council, Sprucedale Care Centre or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.