March 8, 1946 – October 9, 2026
Irene Pearson, of Moncton, New Brunswick, passed away peacefully at Maison Albert House Hospice at the age of 80, after living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for many years.
Irene was a woman whose life was defined by hard work, determination, creativity, and an unwavering desire to help others.
As the eldest of ten children, Irene began working at just eleven years old to help support her family. With less than a Grade 3 education and very limited ability to read or write, she never allowed those circumstances to define what she could accomplish. Instead, her determination and natural work ethic carried her through life, allowing her to shine in everything she undertook.
Creativity was another of Irene’s many gifts, and sewing was her passion. She took discarded fabric squares cut from the corners of fitted fleece sheets and transformed them into double-sided blankets. What started as a simple idea grew into a labour of love that continued for more than 20 years. The blankets found their way into halfway houses, and shelters, and travelled around the world, from Russia to Mexico, bringing warmth and comfort to people in need.
In her fifties, when most people were slowing down, Irene and her husband became the owners of Twin Birch Lodge Seniors Home. The compassion and dedication she showed her residents became a defining part of what the home was known for.
Following her retirement, Irene opened the basement of her home to the local chapter of Victoria’s Quilts Canada. Having survived bladder cancer herself, she understood firsthand the importance of comfort and encouragement during treatment. For Irene, this was far more than volunteer work; it was a calling. Spending a minimum of five hours a day, seven days a week at the long-arm quilting machine, she devoted herself to creating quilts for cancer patients. Over ten years, she sewed more than 12,000 quilts, each one offering warmth and comfort to someone facing the challenges of cancer treatment.
When her time with Victoria’s Quilts Canada came to an end, Irene was not ready to put away her sewing. Even as her COPD progressed and her energy diminished, her thoughts remained focused on getting downstairs to continue her work. She and her friend Barb jointly purchased a long-arm quilting machine and continued making quilts for those in need. Her desire to help others never faded, even when her own strength began to fail.
Irene will be deeply missed by the love of her life, Neville, with whom she shared 55 years together, including 46 years of marriage; her daughters, Monique Pearson and Darlene Head; and her sons, John, Ed, and James Miles. She will be lovingly remembered by her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, as well as her sister Claudette, who was always by her side, and her siblings Dave, Jerry, Dianne, and Ivan.
She was predeceased by her parents, Lionel and Bernadette LeBlanc, and her siblings Juliette, Andrew, Leo, and Rita.
The family would like to thank the staff at Extra Mural and Dr. Cynthia Savoy for the exceptional care and compassion they showed throughout this challenging journey, as well as the staff at Maison Albert House Hospice for their tender, loving care during Irene’s final days.
Arrangements are entrusted to Fergusons Funeral Home & Fergusons Crematorium, 1657 Mountain Rd Moncton, NB (506-858-1995).
If desired, memorial donations can be made to Maison Albert House Hospice, Victoria’s Quilts Canada or a charity of your choice. Condolences can be shared at www.fergusonsfuneralhome.com
This obituary is protected against unauthorized reproduction or redistribution without the funeral home’s or family’s consent.
