Ira passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side at the Palliative Care Unit at Vancouver General Hospital at 7:50 pm Oct 19th. Ira is survived by her devoted husband Patrick, and sons James, Sean and Kevin- her mother Margarete Muehlenkamp Dusseldorf her brother Woldemar (Antonie) Frankfurt and her brother Alexander (lnge) Dusseldorf- also by many cousins nieces and nephews in Canada, Germany and Ireland. Predeceased by her father William, uncle Romulus (Alma), and aunt Alexandra ( Herman).
Ira was born in Dorurs, Barnaul, Siberia as were her siblings. With the help of aunt Alexandra the family was finally allowed to flee the Soviet regime and arrived in West Germany on February 2nd, 1959. They embraced their life of freedom in Dusseldorf and all family members thrived. Ira graduated as a hair stylist and cosmetologist sharing top spot with another graduate in 1969. Ira moved to Vancouver in June 1971where she met Patrick, and they married August 4th, 1973. They returned to Europe in 1974 and stayed in Germany, England and Ireland returning to Vancouver August 1976 where they set up home and raised their three sons.
Ira was a runner, skier, swimmer, hiker, cyclist and loved her yoga. She was a devoted wife and mother. Her family was the center of her life. She set high standards for herself, and led by example. She was a princess whether in blue jeans or a ball gown-a total fashionista with impeccable taste. She loved helping her girl friends select outfits for special occasions -giving them her latest stylish hairdos and her expertise was always admired and appreciated. Her family is devastated by her loss, but the foundations are solid, and they will make her proud by following her example.
The family wishes to thank all the doctors and nurses at the VGH Palliative Care Unit-all are absolute angels.
Prayers will be said Friday October 25th, 7:30 pm at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 2465 Crown St., Vancouver, Pastor Hardo Ermisch, Celebrant., with Mass of Christian Burial to follow on Saturday, October 26th at 11 am (Father Rich Luberti C. Ss. R., Celebrant).
Flowers are respectfully declined, but donations would be gratefully received at Inspire Health (www.inspirehealth.ca) and the B.C. Cancer Agency (http://www.bccancer.bc.ca). C