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Irene Margaret Tait (née Anderson) October 20, 1934 - November 12, 2025. Predeceased by her parents Catherine (1979) and Edward (1979), and her husband Tom (2014), she is survived by brothers Martin and Philip, children Catherine (Nina) and Douglas, grandsons David and Ben, and extended family in Canada, Germany, South Africa and the UK.
Irene was born and grew up in Glasgow, Scotland where she attended Netherlee Primary, Eastwood Secondary, The University of Glasgow and Jordanhill College. She taught in the Glasgow area for two years before moving to Vancouver in 1959, intending to spend a couple of years teaching in Canada before returning home. In the summer of 1961 she and a friend travelled east and ended up in Montreal...once again to spend a couple of years “seeing the world”. When she walked into her first choir practice (as an amateur but attractive alto) at St Andrews Westmount that fall, she had no way of knowing that a certain baritone in the back row decided on the spot that he had ‘just seen the next Mrs Tait'.
Irene was a dedicated teacher, loved and respected by her students and colleagues alike. When she took a break from teaching to start a family, she taught piano and theory, accompanied many choirs/singers/instrumentalists, and most significantly for her, was rehearsal accompanist for the Montreal West Operatic Society. Re-entering the workforce in 1973 took her to Wagar High School, where she taught History, English and Ethics. Her years at Wagar were undoubtedly the highlight of her teaching career; she delighted in the quick paced, intellectually stimulating atmosphere and extremely collegial staff, many of whom remained life long friends.
On moving to Toronto in 1979, she switched gears, back to primary and middle school Music and French, and ended her career with the Peel District School Board, retiring in 1995. A few highlights of her extracurricular endeavours included sewing costumes for St Laurent High G&S productions, coaching the Wagar “Reach for the Top” team, chaperoning Grade 8 trips to Quebec City, supervising the ‘Club de Tricotage’ and preparing myriad choirs and soloists for competitions.
Throughout their marriage, but especially in retirement, she and Tom took several enjoyable trips in Canada, the US and Europe. They relocated to Cobourg, ON in 2001 where they made many new friends and actively took part in church and community groups. We are extremely grateful for the exceptional care Irene and Tom received over many years at Northumberland Hills Hospital and are especially grateful for the gentle kindness shown to Irene in the final week of her life.
At Irene’s request, there will not be a funeral; however, a memorial donation in her honour, to Northumberland Hills Hospital, would be appreciated.
I was fortunate to have Irene as a colleague when we both worked together at Lyndwood School in Mississauga in the 1980s. She was a very gifted teacher who was able to inspire and motivate her students to embrace the musical arts and the French language. I cherished her insights, counsel and friendship during the beginning years of my teaching career. Our trips with our grade eight students to Quebec were a highlight of my career as well. The students were so well prepared and behaved that we were assumed to be from a private school. Thank you, Irene,
Fondest of memories of my first born 40 year old now daughter’s grade one teacher at Herb Campbell Public School in Caledon. Mrs T’ait was so kind and gentle to me a new parent to the education system and as I remember her, she was warm and firm with my daughter in her first year of school with her own desk. I have a distinct memory of our first meeting. The kind when you remember where you were standing and how each other looked at each other. Mrs Tait had a presence and was a force. She will be missed.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
We were so saddened to learn of Irene's passing. Terry was a work colleague of Tom's in Toronto before our own move away from the city. We very much enjoyed them both and the occasional catch-up over dinner or during errands around town after they came to Cobourg. It's an honour to support our hospital in Irene's memory. Our deepest condolences to her family and friends.
An amazing lady has gone home leaving a legacy of achievement and love. My dear maternal (Anderson) cousin, Irene, will miss your annual Christmas card, catching up with the year's events Condolences to Catherine and Douglas
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
The most wonderful lady.I enjoyed working on her beautiful hair while having interesting conversations.I will miss her a lot.Condolences to her family from Ivana.
I enjoyed playing bridge with Irene and our lunches. Irene was gracious, elegant and a great source of wisdom.
Irene was a very gracious woman. Her love of music was evident at St. Andrews Presbyterian and she quickly made friends. Tom was a lovely good natured soul as well. Fond memories of interactions with them both. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends
Sorry to hear ...she was a very fine lady ..loved our chats while doing her hair . Condolences to her family Violet
Such a lovely lady. I always enjoyed our talks and laughter. My condolences to all her family. Marny
We enjoyed our contact with Irene and Tom over the years that they were involved at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. A donation has been made to the church in her memory.