Irene Maurer  (Bailey-Houston)

of Listowel peacefully passed away at Listowel Memorial Hospital on Monday, May 15, 2023 in her 91st year. Beloved wife of the late  Harvey S. Maurer (2013). Loving mother of  Paula Berlett (Dennis) of Palmerston, Peter Bailey (Maria) of St. Catherines and Jacquie Bailey-Cregan (Stephen) of Listowel. Cherished Namma of Josh Berlett (Taylor Dean) and his son Jack, daughter Etta of Palmerston, Bailey Berlett (Cody McGriskin) and son Myles of Listowel, Tyson Brockelbank (Stephanie Di Biase) of Mississauga  and Ashley Lansink (Holdyn) of Listowel . Fondly remembered by Harvey’s family Connie Montgomery (Gary) of Elora, Nancy Witteveen (Mark) of Chesley, Gayle Tucker (Cecil) of Elora, Kevin Maurer of Cambridge  and Tammy Marten (Paul) of Fergus.

Irene was born in 1932 on the family farm in Maryborough Township. She attended the one room school S.S #19, Drayton Highschool, Toronto Normal School (Teaching Diploma), and the University of Toronto (Home Economics). Her teaching career later began back in a one room school in Maryborough Township. Irene taught at many different schools from 1966-84.

In 1953, Irene married John Bailey. They moved to Toronto and soon after to the farm in Moorefield. John and Irene had three children together, Paula (1959), Peter (1963), and Jacquie (1965).

Irene was very involved in her community with organizations such as the Women’s Institute, International Ploughing Match Committee, Guelph Area, Provincial Negotiating Team, and more. In 1997 she was the recipient of a Centennial Award.  These groups provided a wonderful opportunity for travel – attending conferences across Canada from Halifax to Victoria, as well as Kansas City and New Zealand.

Gardening was an important part of her life. She enjoyed exhibiting at the Maryborough Horticulture Shows and local Agriculture Fairs. In 1984, she earned her Horticulture Judging Certificate from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

In 1987, Irene married Harvey Maurer and moved to the Elora Research Farm, and from there, to their home at “The Village” in Listowel in 1994.

The Maurers spent winters 1995-2012 at Bradenton Tropical Palms, Florida. Irene and Harvey enjoyed many cruises and trips, travelling to Australia, Hawaii, Europe, The British Isles, Russia, and The Holy Land. Some of Irene’s favourite travel memories include climbing Mount Sinai, Egypt on a camel and exploring Petra, Jordan.

Church attendance was a priority in her life, attending Moorefield United Church, People’s Church Toronto, Emmanuel Missionary Elmira, Evangelical Missional Church Listowel, Bethel Baptist Florida, and The First Baptist Church Listowel. Irene was baptized in the Jordan River by David Mainse in 1996.

The family will receive friends at the Heritage Funeral Home, Palmerston on Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. followed by a Funeral Service in the Funeral Home Chapel at 11:00 a.m. Interment Bethesda Cemetery. 

As expressions of sympathy donations to  The Listowel First Baptist Church would be appreciated by the family.