Passed peacefully in the company of her loved ones on September 8th in Toronto, at 88 years young.

Irene is survived by her children; Wendy (George) of Toronto and Gordon Thorne of Banff; grandchildren, Lisa and Jordan Palmieri. She is preceded in death by her mother, father, three brothers, and beloved husband of 60 years, John Thorne, all of London, England.

Irene was born on June 23rd, 1932 in London, England to Maria Platt and Arthur Smith. She worked in the late 1940s as a Secretary near Canary Wharf. She married John Thorne, after meeting through friends on a train platform in 1950. They immigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1956. In the 60s the couple welcomed two children into their home. Her family remember her as a kind, gentle, and easygoing mother who always looked on the bright side of life. To her children and grandchildren, she was always a strong, supportive, cheery, and reliable matriarch.

Irene was a voracious reader and lover of the arts, as shown by the many thousands of books, classic movies, theatre shows, and operas she devoured throughout her life. She was an honest and kindhearted individual who loved travelling to warmer climes along with her late husband John. She was an avid walker and
flâneur, having always enjoyed long strolls in nature with one of her many beloved canine companions.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Tuesday Sept 15th, 2020 at 1pm-4pm in an all-outdoor park setting, contact Wendy for details wendypalmieri@rogers.com. Social distancing will be adhered to by all attendees. It will be a relaxed affair in the tradition of English afternoon tea, where we will share fond memories of Irene. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Dorothy Ley Hospice at www.dlhospice.org/contact or Trillium Health Partners Foundation. . The family would like to thank all of her wonderful caregivers at Delmanor Prince Edward, Dorothy Ley Hospice, and PSWs from LHIN for their efforts, care, and dedication to her comfort.