Irene Bessie Dorion (nee Tracey)

Passed away peacefully at the age of 93 at Hospice Simcoe on May 2, 2025. Loved mother of Michael, Bernadette Lougheed (Doug), Christopher, Victor, Juliette Hiemstra (Pete) and the late Kevin (Rayanne). Survived by four grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Irene was the former wife of the late Aurel Dorion and longtime partner of the late Jack Attwood. 

Irene was born on January 30, 1932 to Robert & Ida Tracey of Utopia and was the last surviving of their thirteen children. She was so proud to be sister to the late Lillian, Leonard, Murray, Gladys, Calvin and Dawson, her siblings who survived to adulthood. She enjoyed being the much-loved Aunt Bessie to her Tracey nieces and nephews and Aunt Irene to the Dorion side of the family. 

Irene lived her entire life locally at Utopia, Big Bay Point, her beloved farm in Holly, New Lowell and most recently in Barrie. She was a polio survivor having suffered through endless treatments and learning how to walk again as she entered her teenage years. Irene was a passionate lover of her animals including her horses when she lived at Holly. “Mrs. Dorion” was the 2nd mother to the “Holly Boys” who played hockey on the ice rink she helped make and faithfully tended in the Dorion yard, following which she fed them all. Irene enjoyed seeing her youngest son Kevin (aka Kelvis) as he sang for many years at the Collingwood Elvis Festival and entertaining residents of Barrie Manor in the early 2000’s before his untimely passing in 2016. She loved going to Karaoke and dancing with Jack at the ANAF Club with her family and all the friends she met there and other places prior to Jack’s 2019 death. 

The family would like to extend their thanks for the care she received to the staff at Royal Victoria Hospital, Barrie Manor and Hospice Simcoe where she spent her final months and days. 

Cremation has taken place through arrangements with Basic Funerals Jennett Chapel Barrie. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when interment takes place at Grenfel Cemetery, Springwater, ON. 

The family would appreciate donations in Irene’s memory may be made to Hospice Simcoe (https://hospicesimcoe.ca/) where she was so comfortable in her final hours.