It is with broken hearts that the family of the late Mary "Irene" Downey announces her passing from the Baie Verte Peninsula Health Centre, Baie Verte, NL on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at the age of 91 years.

Irene was born in Harbour Round NL. to James and Sarah Drover on  June 26, 1931.When still a young girl she moved with her family to Baie Verte where she met and married the love of her life, Aloysius. Together they had seven children, five boys and two girls. Irene was a devoted wife and mother whose energy was entirely spent on caring for her family. Not only did she manage the household but she organized and trained the entire work crew…namely her children…to each do their part for the family. Besides the occasional deep clean of the house, we all had our daily chores to do. The daily trip home from school for lunch also meant one of; washing dishes, vacuuming the living room floor, sweeping the kitchen floor, or making the beds! Mom had already been working all morning to give us a healthy breakfast, clean clothes, and now a good lunch and doing a little chore each day helped us to appreciate what it takes to care for a family…a lesson which has benefited each of us immensely. Every man in our family can cook and wash the dishes as well as anyone on the planet! Our family likes to joke that we have all caught "the Rene gene"! Mom's care for her family also extended beyond our doors to her parents, siblings, friends and neighbours in need. She is fondly remembered, especially by her grandchildren, for her desire to see you "well fed". She always had something on the table and the door was always open. Her desire to share whatever she could remained with her right to the end…if you happened to be sitting with her when the meal was brought to her room at the home you had to be prepared to eat…she insisted that you have some of her meal!

The most enduring gift that Mom has given us though has been the example of a "life of faith". Her simple but unwavering "trust" in God has been an inspiration to each of us. She often shared with us how our Blessed Lord came to her one night and asked her to entrust all her burdens to Him. Learning to trust Him since then has been her life's work. Watching her as she learned to trust on her own journey has inspired us to grow deeper in our faith journeys. Mom, you were a fine example of "Faith and Works" in action! That gift of faith is what gives us the assurance that we will all one day be together again.

Thank you Mom! We love you!

Predeceased by her husband, Aloysius; parents, James & Sarah Drover; son, Lawrence; siblings, Patrick(Angela), Elizabeth(Bern) Brien, Thomas, & Marie Tulk.

Left with fond and loving memories are her children, Sarah (Bruce) Mercer, Baie Verte; Aloysius (Linda), St John's; Ronald (Annette), Huntsville, ON; Leonard (Betty), Baie Verte; Julie-Ann Downey (Scott Betts), St John's; Timothy, Baie Verte;  daughter-in-law, Fern Downey; grandchildren, Christopher Mercer (Dale Mclean) & Craig Mercer (Sarah Hamilton); Matthew & Molly Downey; Stephen & Shawn Downey; Sarah Quigley (Brendan), Rosi Vandenberg (Jake), Maria Oksanen (John), Johnny & Anna Downey; Ryan Downey (Michael O'Reily), Scott Downey (Jasmine), Rebecca Gunson (Adam); Benjamin & Abigail Betts; great-grandchildren, Sarah Rose, Amy Clare & Noah Christopher Mercer; Joshua Gabrielle Mercer; Naeve-Irene, Rose Miriam, Deidre Anna & Alice Martina Quigley; Evelyn Marie Oksanen; Scarlet, Saxon & Shelby Downey; Wyatt Elli-Mae Gunson; siblings, Vincent Drover (Violet), Jimmy Drover (Dorothy), Anthony Drover,  Lawrence Drover (Mary Head), Carmel Marche, Sarah Howse (Roy); sister-in-law, Shirley Drover; brother-in-Law, Lester Tulk; many nieces, nephews and a large circle of other relatives and friends.

Public visitation took place from Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Baie Verte, NL on Monday, January 16, 2023 from 7-9 pm, continuing on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm.

Roasary service took place from Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Baie Verte, NL on Monday, January 16, 2023 at 7 pm.

Wake service took place from Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Baie Verte, NL on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 7 pm.

The Mass of Christian Burial took place from St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, Baie Verte, NL on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 1 pm with Father Tom Duffenais officiating. Interment followed from St. Pius X Roman Catholic Cemetery, Baie Verte, NL.

As an expression of sympathy, flowers are gratefully accepted, or donations may be made in Irene's memory to a charity of one's choice.

Flowers can be purchased by calling The Floral Boutique at 709-673-4120 or Garden Centre Florist at 709-673-5015.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, 22 Main Street, Baie Verte, NL.