Tremblett (Fraser), Irene Leona, age 95, of Truro, Nova Scotia, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, in Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro. Irene was born in beautiful Goldboro, Nova Scotia, one of eight children raised in a loving and bustling home overlooking the harbour. Her parents, Parker and Lillian (MacArthur) Giffin, raised her and her siblings to be confident, independent, and always appreciative and grateful for what they had. They instilled great awareness of and affection for their Irish heritage, which Irene demonstrated throughout her life. As the third of Parker and Lillian’s oldest girls, Irene was often called by her sisters’ names when her father habitually ran through each, oldest to youngest, until he got to hers.
When it came time for her to leave home, she moved to New Glasgow to be with her sisters, Rete and Dot, where she trained and worked as a dental assistant. It was here that she met her husband of over 40 years, Spurgeon Fraser, and spent most of her life with other shorter-term residencies in Moncton, New Brunswick, and Truro.
Raised in the church, she grew up attending Goldboro United Baptist Church and, along with her husband and children, was a member of First Presbyterian Church in New Glasgow. A talented singer, she shared her gift singing in the church choir and with the Codiac Chords, a women’s 4-part Harmony A Capella chorus. While raising her family was her priority, she found time for volunteer work, particularly with IODE Canada, a national women's charitable organization focusing on Children, Education, and Community Services. In her later years, she connected with her Celtic heritage and enjoyed performing and teaching Scottish Country Dancing.
After Spurge’s retirement, he and Irene became regular snowbirds spending their winters in Florida, something Irene continued to do after Spurge’s passing in 1992. It was here that she met Ed Tremblett, another wonderful man with whom she shared many happy years until his passing in 2019.
Irene was predeceased by her parents, Parker and Lillian (MacArthur) Giffin; husbands, Spurgeon "Spurge" Fraser and Edmund "Ed" Tremblett; sisters, Dorothy "Dot" Whittier and Rita "Rete" Giffin; brothers, Aubrey, Oland "Olie", and Robert "Bob" Giffin; brothers-in-law, Earl Sponagle and Ralph Whittier; and former daughter-in-law, Mary (Macrae) Fraser.
Irene is survived by her three boys, Zane (Cathy Gamble), Wade (Deb), and Shaun (Lilia) Fraser; Ed’s children Josephine (Ron) Budgell and Ed (Nellie) Tremblett; brother, Wayne (Vivian) Giffin; sister, Donalda (Ernie) Hafey; sisters-in-law, Nina (White) Giffin, Laureen (Latham) Giffin, and Faye Henderson; former sister-in-law Arnita (Hudson) Giffin and former daughter-in-law, Marilyn (Jim) Joyce; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was lovingly known as Grandmum to her grandchildren, Alyson Sutherland and Matthew Fraser, Brandon and Justin Fraser, and Alina (Matt) Horsman, and great-grandchildren Sydney, Jillian, Caitlyn, and Elliot.
The family would like to express their most heartfelt gratitude to Irene’s many caregivers, especially Carol, who was also a close friend. Her funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, in Lorne Street Cemetery, New Glasgow, with Rev. Dr. Glen Matheson officiating. The service was recorded. A link to view the service is below. Donations in Irene’s memory may be made to the IWK Health Center. Arrangements are under the direction of R.H. Porter Funeral Home.