Irene M Aked

Irene Mary (Watts) Aked August 22, 1919 – August 19, 2013 Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, Irene passed away peacefully at Riverview Care Center on August 19, 2013, after a brief illness. Irene was born in Calgary, Alberta to Arthur and Mary Watts. She grew up in Calgary with her 4 siblings – Ted, Bill, Ethel, and Jeannie – and graduated from Crescent Heights High School. She worked as a dental assistant until flying to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, to marry Norman Aked on June 25, 1942 and begin her married life in a canvas tent house under the midnight sun. As Norman’s career grew, they lived and worked throughout British Columbia before moving to Deer Lodge, Montana in 1949, where all of their children – Ted, Jim and Mary – were born. Everywhere they lived, they developed lifelong friends, creating wonderful adventures and memories along the way. In 1965, they settled in Spokane, and Irene devoted herself to raising her family. She loved to single-handedly host large family gatherings, especially during the holidays; enjoyed Priest Lake year-round; and was a wonderful cook and baker, animal lover, sports fan, and avid knitter. Irene was preceded in death by her husband Norman and her siblings. She is survived by her sons Ted (Patti) Aked and Jim (Helen) Aked of Spokane; daughter Mary (Charlie) Dougherty of Redmond (WA); 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in her honor at Riplinger Funeral Home, 4305 N. Division, Saturday, August 24, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children or the Humane Society. Finally, a heartfelt thank you to the incredible and loving staff at Riverview Terrace and Riverview Care Center.