Irene Hicock (nee Ignatz)
January 7, 1949 - February 17, 2024

With husband Larry and their daughters by her side, Irene Hicock passed away quietly at Hamilton’s Juravinski Hospital.

Irene was born in Toronto and moved at an early age to Winnipeg. She returned to Toronto in 1983 with Larry and their young daughters Reagan and Erin; Delaney was born in Toronto in 1988. She is survived also by her daughters’ partners: Reagan’s (Alain Benabdallah and their sons Henry and Arlo); Erin’s (Chris McCann); and Delaney’s (Jarrod Wilson). The family has remained close, in spirit if not always in physical proximity. Irene was the heart and soul of our little circle.

With Irene, family always came first. Then came the other loves of her life: her rigorous fitness regimen (aerobics, running), her music (rock and roll, R&B, a little jazz), watching tear-jerker movies (new and old) and cheesy murder mystery TV shows, her fabulous cooking (from gourmet to traditional Ukrainian to her own creations), her beloved shopping (she put in her first 10,000 hours decades ago). Last but certainly not least, her darling puppy Marlin, who brought her so much comfort and joy throughout her final months.

Irene was Larry’s partner not just in marriage (they were two hopeless romantics right to the end) but also in their creative lives. She was the perceptive editor and greatest supporter of Larry’s published works, and a spirited artist in her own right. She had an eye for art, design and fashion in all forms. Over the past 25 years she became an accomplished and passionate photographer. Whatever she was shooting – urban grunge, natural landscape, still life and, most joyfully, the doggies and pussycats in her life – she always looked for the unexpected, the quirky, the wondrous. Larry is committed to publishing a collection of her work that she had been preparing over the past two years.

Throughout all these adventures, Irene never lost sight of who and what mattered most in her life. She never lost her goofy sense of humour, her youthful vitality, her kindness and generosity of spirit. For all these things and so much more, she will be loved and remembered. And missed.

In accordance with Irene’s wishes, she has been cremated in a private ceremony. The family requests that any messages of condolence and/or shared memories be posted on the memorial page. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Juravinski Hospital would be appreciated.