Irene Frances Breen, nee Hrinco, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025 at 11:05am at St. Joseph's Hospital in Toronto at 83 years of age.

Irene was raised in a loving Catholic home with her 2 sisters, Rose and Bernice and 2 brothers, Tom and Jerry. Her parents Andrew and Mary, who had immigrated from Slovakia, eventually met in Toronto, married and settled in the Claremont/Queen area of Toronto near the original Slovak church, Sts. Cyril and Methodius.

Irene was all about family first and foremost. She centered her life's passion around this core belief. Irene married the love of her life, William Ross Breen (Ross to her), and they dreamed big and settled in Etobicoke to raise their family: Bob (Kara), Ed (Ania) and Kathy. Irene was very proud of finding their paradise home on the shores of Lake Ontario. She loved it every day until the very end of her 61+ years of married life.

Known as Babka to her 8 grandchildren, William, Douglas, Helen, Johnny, Joey, Stephanie, Michael and Emily. She was always very kind, generous, loving and humble. She was so very proud of each and every one of them. She had an incredible gift of making everyone feel at ease with her smile and conversation. After raising her children she was fortunate to travel the world with her husband, sisters and Slovak friends. She experienced different cultures but she was always thankful and grateful to come back to Canada, her home and her family.

Irene in her own quiet and unassuming manner was a fighter as she battled peacefully and lovingly in her last 5 years after a terrible stroke where she lost many of her memories and cognitive abilities. She never complained and even in the worst of times she always looked for the good in everyone and everything.

Her family welcomes everyone who knew her for visitation at the Turner & Porter Peel Chapel, 2180 Hurontario Street, Mississauga, on Sunday, April 27, 2025, and Monday, April 28, 2025 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. A service to celebrate Irene's life will be held at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Roman Catholic Church, 5255 Thornwood Dr, Mississauga on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 10 am, followed by a burial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 7300 Highway 27, Woodbridge. Following the interment all are welcome for a luncheon back at Sts. Cyril & Methodius.

There will be a luncheon at Sts. Cyril and Methodist Church following the interment.

Her love, kindness, and unwavering strength will forever live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.