Irena Peritz (née Korec)

Irena Peritz, our beloved mother, grandmother and lifelong source of joy and strength, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 30th, the day of her 98th birthday. 

Born in Poland in 1928, our mother survived the Holocaust along with her parents and sister and, despite the horrors of her youth, emerged from the ashes of war with a spirit of kindness and hope. Together with our father, she instilled in us the values of respect and human decency, while teaching us the importance of remaining humble and treating everyone as equals.

She also passed along her passion for fitness and the outdoors, which sustained her throughout her life. Well into her 80s, our mother found joy in scaling new mountaintops and cross-country skiing through fresh snow. The world was her playground: The Appalachian Mountains, the Bay of Fundy, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, the Laurentians, Mount Royal—and in her final years, Murray Hill and Westmount Park. She took an exercise class at her residence two days before she died.

To those fortunate to cross her path, our mother was a wellspring of warmth and wisdom. Friends, acquaintances—and, especially, her four adored grandsons—were drawn to her openness, her genuine curiosity and her willingness to listen and offer advice with quiet compassion. She overcame the pain and darkness of her early life to become a source of light, inspiring many people who sought out her company.

It has been the privilege of a lifetime to accompany our mother on the final leg of her journey, which she faced with grace and serenity. To the very end, our mother showed us the way.

A heartfelt thanks to the many people who supported our mother over the years, including through her recent period of declining health: Her extraordinary physician, Dr. Barry Slapcoff, and, more recently, Dr. Richard May; the Nova/CLSC palliative care teams; the nurses, staff and her many friends at Manoir Westmount; and caregivers Diane and Shilleen for their tremendous devotion in Mom’s final months.

Our mother was predeceased by her husband, Simon Peritz; her parents, Joseph and Rozalia Korec; and her sister, Olga Sher. She will forever remain in the hearts of her children Nina (Tony), Paul (Dominique), Ingrid (Josh) and her recently rediscovered son, David (Alicia). Her memory will continue to live on in her grandchildren Eric (Elleanor), Darron (Hemin), Jonathan and Daniel.

Funeral services on Monday, February 2nd at 1 pm. at Paperman & Sons, 3888 Jean Talon West. Burial at Mount Royal Cemetery, 1297 Chemin de la Forêt. Reception at Le Romema, 6403 Décarie Blvd., between 2 pm. and 7 pm.

Donations in Irena's memory can be made to the Montreal Holocaust Museum.