In Memoriam – Elsie Louise Irwin
July 2, 1927 – January 6, 2022
Louise Irwin passed away at UBC Hospital at the age of 94 years. Born in Vancouver to Stan and Elsie Irwin, she grew up in Barnet, where she developed a great love for the outdoors, bringing home lots of “pets” from the woods and swimming across Port Moody Arm. Later the family built a house in Point Grey and Louise graduated from Magee Secondary School. She attended UBC and was granted a BSc in Agriculture (1948) and a Bachelor of Library Science (1967). Louise worked abroad in research labs, taught at University Hill Secondary School, and retired as a librarian at Vancouver Public Library.
Her years were spent hiking, skiing, gardening, travelling and enjoying her view of Kits Beach from her apartment. She spent many hours skiing and hiking on the local mountains and around the world into her 80’s. Louise led many hikes as a long-time member of Nature Vancouver, receiving the Kaye and Charles Ney Award for Exemplary Service in 2011. She also was active with North Shore Hikers and with Friends of Cypress Provincial Park. In her later years she was a dedicated volunteer at Brock House, enjoying the lectures and lunches every Tuesday.
For the past 4 ½ years, Louise required home care. Many thanks to KARP Homecare and its staff of capable, professional and loving care aids, who made it possible for her to live in her own home right up until the end. Thanks also to the dedicated and caring nurses and doctors at VGH and UBC during the past month.
Louise is predeceased by her sister, Eleanor Nelson. She is survived by brother-in-law Don Nelson, three nieces (Louise Nelson, Patty Nash, Margaret Nelson) and one nephew (Andy Nelson). Remembered by many friends and colleagues.
Donations can be directed to the charity of your choice.
Memories of Louise Irwin shared by members of Nature Vancouver
Cynthia Crampton – Louise was very generous to Nature Vancouver, especially in our efforts to protect Pink Mountain. So many memories! But one in particular. At the annual lunch on New Year’s Day following a birding walk along the dyke in Steveston, the stories were flowing. I urged Louise to tell hers about working in the Cannery, close by. When the Japanese were sent to internment camps in 1942, there was a labour shortage in the salmon cannery in Steveston. High school students were hired. Louise and her fellow Magee Secondary School students took the inter urban across the Fraser River, and were delivered to the Cannery. They worked the night shift. Louise was a slimer. At the end of their shift, all were given their wages in a brown envelope. Boys, $5 and Girls, $4 – all doing the same work. Incidentally, the school principal put an end to this night work – too many students falling asleep in the class, and perhaps, the strong fish smell.
Ken Dent – Louise was a memorable, irascible, colourful character whom I always enjoyed chatting with on many hikes over several decades. May she rest in peace!
Jane Srivastava – Louise always laid the water hose bringing fresh water down to NV campsites from a fresh mountain stream high above the camp. I think the Monica Meadows camp may have been her last – the one where it snowed as we set up camp. She was very uncomfortable in her tent that year. Louise told tales of, when she was young, swimming from Burnaby where she lived across Burrard Inlet to Belcarra. A sad loss to Nature Vancouver and to Friends of Cypress Provincial Park – she was an involved member, and a great supporter, of both.
Rosemary & Terry Taylor – We were much saddened to hear that Louise has passed away. Over several decades we shared many hikes with her, one of which was an annual spring trip to Horth Hill near Schwartz Bay to see the flowers. We always came back from the hike past a field where a donkey lived. Louise unfailingly had carrots in her pack specially to give to the donkey and we always stopped there while she did so. Year after year that donkey had its carrot treats from Louise, and she wouldn’t have missed the opportunity for all the tea in China!
Louise herself shared her memories of VNHS / Nature Vancouver in an article she wrote for Discovery. In this article, she reminisces about her life growing up in Vancouver, her love for animals, and her memories of Nature Vancouver Summer Camps. You can read the article (pages 8-13) from the the link below:
