Williams Lake and British Columbia lost one of its leading historians over the weekend.
Irene Florence (Ward) Stangoe passed away in Williams Lake April 2, 2011 at the age of 92.
Irene was born Aug. 12, 1918 in New Westminster to Eveline and Alvera Ward.
Irene and her husband Clive Stangoe moved to Williams Lake in 1950 after purchasing Efteen.
For the first six years they lived above the Tribune office while raising their children Ward and Elaine and building a reputation as award-winning journalists. They won many awards including Best Weekly in Canada in their circulation class.
Clive served as editor and Irene served as community editor and also wrote a column called With Irene in which she told stories of kids, dogs, and trips to the family cabin.
Irene was involved in a wide variety of community organizations including serving as the United Church organist, and on the library and museum boards.
She developed a particular passion for the history of the region, and worked to assemble material for the local and provincial archives.
She was instrumental in starting the Tribune’s annual and often award -winning Casual Country supplement.
Irene was also an avid bridge player and drove in once a week from her home at Chimney Lake, where she and Clive eventually settled, to play duplicate bridge.
After selling the Tribune to the Black family in 1973, Irene and Clive continued to write columns for the newspaper, for many years. Clive served as writer emeritus until his passing in December 2005. Irene launched her popular and award-winning historical column Looking Back in 1975.
Clive won the Citizen of the Year Award for his community service and Irene was nominated for Citizen of the Year several times over the years.
Irene continued her passion for history well into her senior years, publishing the first of her three books at age 75.
Her book titles are Looking Back at the Cariboo-Chilcotin; History and Happenings in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, Pioneer Memories; and Cariboo-Chilcotin Pioneer People and Places.
Even up to this last year, Irene received calls from newspapers all over Canada and the U.S. asking her about the lakecity’s Wrestling Day and other historical questions. She also received visits from many students and visitors seeking to talk to her about local history.
“It gave her such joy to pass on this information that she was so passionate about,” says daughter Elaine. “She will be very much missed by our family and the whole community.”
Irene is survived by her daughter Elaine (Doug) Layman of Ladysmith and grandchildren Jason Layman and Jacqueline Rogers; and son Ward Stangoe of Williams Lake and grandchildren Shanna, Janine, and Jeremy.
Irene is also survived by nine great-grandchildren: Maxwell, Eric, Connor, Duncan, Josh, Joey, Kennedy, Dawson, and Chase.
She is predeceased by her husband Clive, parents Eveline and Alvera Ward, brother Bryan Ward and sister Lily Ward.
A celebration of Irene’s life will be held in May, details of which will be announced later.
