Irene Boiteau

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Irene Boiteau, our Mom, Grandma and great Grandma on September 24, 2025, at the age of 98 in McCreary Manitoba. Irene Boiteau (née Szlachtycz) was born in Benito Manitoba August 19, 1927. 

Irene was predeceased by her husband Wilf of 69 ½ years and their granddaughter Layna Marie Boiteau.

She was the last surviving offspring of Fred Szlachtycz and Sophia Melnyk who both immigrated from Perehinsko, Dolyna, Austria - now Ukraine in the early 1900s. Predeceased by three half siblings, Tom Semcow, Jessie Metasanko, and Olga Brodie who immigrated with their stepmother Sophia. Canadian born siblings were Mike Slater, Russel Szlachtycz, Doris Slater, Stella Szlachtycz and Pauline Locktin.

Mom grew up in Benito, graduating from grade 12 with distinction. She worked at the local pharmacy which happened to be across the street from a young handsome baker named Wilf Boiteau. They were married on July 7, 1948. In 1951 Wilf and Irene, with their 2 year old daughter Joan and new born baby Dennis moved to McCreary to open up a bakery, restaurant and the Greyhound / Grey Goose bus depot  until 1991. At a later date they opened a second business, I & W Laundromat next door.

Irene was very active as a volunteer in the community. In the 1970s she was the founding member of Meals on Wheels, she served on the Ladies Auxiliary and volunteered at the PCH lighting up the lives of the residents with visits and walks. She was a dispatcher for the McCreary handivan and Lifeline. Irene’s willingness and ability to give of her time to better the lives of her neighbours could not be measured in dollars or hours but only in the joy that was evident as she shared a word or a touch with others. She was recognized with a lifetime award for Community Service. 

Whenever baking was required, be it a tea, bake sale, funeral, a Catholic Women’s league event or cookies for the grandchildren, mom was always there with a favourite dessert or one of her renowned pies! And we cannot forget her legendary perogies!

Wilf and Irene enjoyed retirement with their many bus tours that took them to many points in the USA and Canada to visit family and friends.

Irene will be missed by her children, Joan (Richard), Dennis (Brenda), Lionel (Jean), Gerald (Shirley) and Marguerite (Richard) and grandchildren, Brad, Jeff, Garey, Mark, Dereck, Mathew, Randal, Jeremy, Meaghen, Kara, Emily, Kylie and Nathan, great grandchildren  Wyatt, Charlee-Jo, Micheal, Lea, Janessa, Solaye, Ailey, Emmlynn, Chase and Ivan.

Funeral Mass for Irene was celebrated on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 3:00 pm from Our Lady of the Nativity Catholic Church, McCreary, MB.  Fr. James Ahaneku celebrated the mass.  Interment followed in the McCreary Catholic Cemetery with a reception in the McCreary Community Hall.  

Flowers are gratefully declined. Please consider remembering Irene with a donation to the McCreary/Alonsa Personal Care Home, McCreary, MB 

Our family would like to thank the staff of the McCreary/Alonsa Personal Care Home for your kindness in looking after Mom.  Thank you to Fr. James for celebrating the mass and to Jody Fletcher for looking after the lunch.  Thank you to everyone who attended the mass for Mom and for your friendship and caring shown to our family.  It is most appreciated and will be remembered.