'Peaceful corner' honours long-time parish organist

By ANH HOANG
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

"Mom was always one for comfort," said Marie-Claire Turgeon of the "peaceful" corner in honour of her late mother Irene Turgeon. "This area is really a nice place for (patients) to spend time. It's very relaxing and peaceful."

The fountain, the focal point of the corner, was dedicated during a Mass June 26. It was erected in memory of Irene Turgeon, long-time organist at Paroisse Immacul‚e-Conception.

"At her 100th birthday (last summer), a lot of people wondered what they would give her," Marie-Claire Turgeon said.

The family decided to plant a tree at the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre, where Irene Turgeon lived for the past three years, but ran into problems. When Irene passed away in January, the family kept her memory alive by building the peaceful corner and establishing the Irene Turgeon Fund.

"The fund is used to buy things that government funding would not," Marie-Claire Turgeon said. "Many of these (patients) are on fixed income and may not have extra money for things like going to the hairdresser or personal things for their rooms."

Irene Turgeon moved to Edmonton from Quebec more than 80 years ago. She married Noel Turgeon, a police officer, and raised five children.

Marie-Claire, the youngest, remembers her mother as a committed community member and devoted family woman.

"She got along with everyone," Marie-Claire said. "One thing I remember about her is that she was very non-political about everything."

Information on the Irene Turgeon Fund can be obtained by contacting Marcus Schwabe at 482-8038..

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