Our family said goodbye to our matriarch on November 10, 2025, with the peaceful passing of Irma Winnifred Davies. She was 95.
Irma was a mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was also a mentor, a teacher, a walker, a painter, an athlete, and a faithful servant — to her family, her church, and her community.
She was born on Jan. 3, 1930, to Roy and Hazel Bullock, in Lakefield, Ontario. As one of four daughters, her upbringing fostered her values of active, outdoor living, and her love of family. She is survived by her sisters Alta Starr and Ruth Calbery, predeceased by her sister Dorothy Nichols, and remained a caring aunt, great aunt, and cousin to many more in the Lakefield area.
Irma was adventurous and athletic throughout her life. She taught her children to ski and her grandchildren to play tennis. She grew up playing softball and hockey, and in her 70s she walked across England’s Lake District. Well into her 90s she remained a prodigious walker, and a role model for active living.
It was while studying Physical Education at the University of Toronto that she met her husband, on a blind date. Dick and Irma were partners, lovers, and best friends throughout their 55 years of marriage. Their adventures would take them all over the world, including trips to China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. They loved music and theater as well as hosting parties at their home.
Irma had many talents, and a strong creative streak — whether it was with a paintbrush, in the kitchen, or at the sewing machine. She was always ready to teach, and to learn. She took up watercolor painting in retirement, and went from sewing clothes to creating beautiful quilts. She passed down her culinary lessons to her kids and grandkids. Every meal or dessert she made was special — you never turned down anything she made. In fact, you asked for seconds.
Church was always an important part of Irma's life. She never stopped learning, serving, and giving back. She grew up in the United Church of Canada, joined the Anglican Church when she married, and was a proud member of the Episcopal Church community throughout her later life in the United States. She served on the Altar Guild and on the Pastoral Care team. She was a regular at Bible Study. To her, church was an extension of home.
Irma lived with dementia in her final years, and went through the challenges and experiences that so many people and their families go through. Still, she never lost her spirit, and sweet nature always shone through. In support of the many individuals and families who go through this too, and in gratitude for the dedicated care she received, Irma’s family is encouraging donations in her name to the Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (www.madrc.org) in the U.S., and to Baycrest Foundation (baycrestfoundation.org) in Canada.
Irma is predeceased by her husband, Richard Owen Davies, and by her son Graham. She is survived by her son Blair Davies (Meny), daughter Mara Huston (Art), daughter-in-law Susan Davies, and her grandchildren: Geoff, Andrew, Morgan, Nicole, Liam, Lyx, and Nick — and her great-grandson, Walter.
She will be dearly missed, and fondly remembered.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Matthew 25:21