Obituary of Irene Arthea Calkin
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Irene Arthea Calkin, on April 20, 2025, in the Valley Regional Hospital. Born in Wolfville on December 3, 1948, Irene was the daughter of the late Arthur and Jean (Burgher) Calkin. Irene grew up in Black Rock and attended Central Kings High School.
Irene was very well known in her community for her outgoing personality and the amount of time she spent helping others. She was always on the go, whether it was helping politicians like George Moody with his campaigns in the 80’s, volunteering at Open Arms or simply heading out to go shopping, which was one of her absolute favorite past times. During her first marriage she loved to ride a motorcycle. You could say she was a social butterfly; you could find her attending horse and ox pulls around the province and during family trips to the United States. She was involved in several community organizations and groups. When she wasn’t on the go, Irene enjoyed stained glass or playing crib.
A woman of many trades, Irene spent many years as a secretary, first at the Waterville Correctional Centre and then she moved onto working at the Burnside Correctional Facility when Waterville closed. While working at the correctional centre she met Addison Locke, and helped him follow his dream to become a musician. She raised piglets to pay for business school. Irene ran her own insurance company in the 1980’s. She spent some time in the direct sales industry selling Avon where she was able to win a trip to Montreal. She was also a Sunday school teacher at the New Minas Baptist Church and spent time as a Beavers Leader where she earned the nickname “Bubbles”.
Irene was a people person who set out to do whatever she could for as many people as possible, she loved going out and socializing and spending quality time with others, especially her family, she was so proud of her children and stepchildren and enjoyed making countless memories with them whenever she had the chance.
“Mom preferred to order take out rather than cook; IT was fun spending over $100 on door dash last year with her a few days before Christmas.”
Irene is survived by, her son, Eidson; stepson, Robbie DeEll, brother Herbert Calkin, grandson Michael Melanson, grandson, Aaron Young and first husband,Oliver Cogswell many nieces and nephews as well as other stepchildren.
Irene was predeceased by, daughter, Shawna, partner, John McMullin, Dan Lutz (common law partner), ex husband, Clinton DeEll and her best friend, Diane Gosse.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday June 4, 2025 at 1:00pm in the Habitant Cemetery, NS. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4R 1B9 (902-679-2822).
