Irene BLUM

BLUM, Irene 1948-2009 Irene Blum, of blessed memory, died on November 1, 2009 at 10:25 p.m. in Edmonton. She was born on November 13, 1948 in Bucharest, Romania, the first child of Richard and Martha Blum (nee Guttmann). She immigrated to Israel with her parents at the age of 18 months, and a year later in July 1951, Irene and her parents joined Martha's family in Halifax, Nova Scotia, entering Canada through Pier 21. A year in Wolfville, Nova Scotia saw the birth of her brother Alexander (d. 1983), and in 1955 the family settled in Saskatoon, where Irene and Alexander grew up. Under the influence of her parents, Irene developed a deep appreciation for languages and the arts. At Aden Bowman Collegiate under the guidance of Bob Hinitt, and beyond to university and the professional stage, Irene took her place as an accomplished and sensitive actor. She studied French in Saskatoon at the University of Saskatchewan, and in Toronto at the University of Toronto where she received her Master of Arts degree in the French Language. She also had an excellent knowledge of German and Romanian. For the last 15 years, Irene fulfilled her calling as an outstanding teacher of French, working for Formation Linguistique Canada, Edmonton Continuing Education, and Metro College, as well as coaching many appreciative private students. She also volunteered on scholarship boards and various community projects. Irene's exceptional aesthetic sensibility allowed her to experience art, theatre, and music to their fullest. Her lively sense of humour endeared her to her many friends and students; her courage and tenacity sustained her to the end. Irene was predeceased by her father in 2004, and her mother in 2007. The Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at Agudas Israel Synagogue in Saskatoon (715 McKinnon Avenue at the intersection of 10th Street and McKinnon Avenue) with interment at Agudas Israel Cemetery and the Meal of Condolence following at Agudas Israel. Donations in Irene's memory may be made to the Saskatoon Jewish Foundation c/o Agudas Israel Synagogue, to the Persephone Theatre of Saskatoon, or the Canadian Cancer Society. Email condolences may be sent to: mail@saskatoonfuneralhome.com. No flowers please. Arrangements have been entrusted to SASKATOON FUNERAL HOME. 306-244-5577. Published in the Edmonton Journal on 11/3/2009 Published in the Saskatoon StarPhoenix on 11/3/2009