McLEAN, Irma Rebecca (nee Miller) passed away peacefully in Calgary, Alberta on Good Friday, March 30, 2018 at the age of 95. Irma was wife to the late Donald Carvell McLean, mother to Donna and Stan (Pierry) McLean. Grandmother to Erik Petursson, Krista (Jason) Warnes, Tristan McLean and Spencer McLean and daughter of the late Levi Miller and Josephine Miller (nee Nesset). She is pre-deceased by her sisters Verna and Frances and survived by her sister Grace Young. Irma was born on December 7, 1922 in Poplar Ridge, Alberta. She grew up on the family farm in Poplar Ridge where her parents homesteaded raising her and her three sisters. Shortly after completing Normal School in Calgary, Alberta she joined the Women’s Division of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), taking her to England during WWII. While serving her country, Irma met and fell in love with her husband Don and they were married in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1944. After the war ended they returned to Canada where Don continued his career with the RCAF and Irma dedicated her time to raising their two children. Before Don retired and they settled in Elora, Ontario, they moved many times as the family was transferred from one Air Force base to another throughout Ontario and Quebec. After retirement, Irma and Don enjoyed many adventures through their love of camping and Irma returned home to Alberta several times to visit family. In 2010, the prairie girl who had left to join the Air Force at the age of 20 finally moved back to Alberta and embraced her prairie roots at the age of 87. Irma was born with an adventurous spirit and had a sharp and curious mind until her final day; reflected through family travel to Portugal in her 80s, camping trips into her 90s, an insatiable appetite for playing cards and of current events. She was not one to settle for anything less than a full effort and always encouraged her children and grandchildren to do their best in anything they undertook. Her generosity, sense of humour and sharp mind will be fondly remembered by all who knew her. A Memorial for Irma will be held in the near future in Elora, date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. For additional details please visit: https://wonderfullife.com/of/irma-mclean.
