Emily 'Molly' Irving

Emily ‘Molly’ Irving, loving partner of Leo Pelland, passed away peacefully at the Good Samaritan Southridge Village in Medicine Hat on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at the age of 94 years. Molly was born in Estevan on May 12, 1930, to fourth generation Black Sea German parents – Martin & Mathilda Johner (nee Walliser). The family farmed in the area called Hillside where they also ran an ice delivery business and a boarding house. Molly was the 6th of 9 children and was predeceased by her parents and all of her siblings – Annie, Bert, Agnes, Nick, Rose, Anne, Frank and Myrna. She attended Estevan Collegiate Institute and loved playing baseball on a team with sister, Rose. Figure skating and dancing were her other passions. Her life was her children and her home (which was always spotless) – supporting them in whatever they chose to do – sewing her daughter’s dance costumes, leading her son’s Cub pack – and always there with sage advice, empathy and love. Many dances with her children happened in Molly’s kitchen. After numerous moves around Saskatchewan, she settled in Medicine Hat in 1964. Molly got her first job in 1965 working as a cook, then a car-hop at the A & W Drive In. Her red hair, speeding from car to car and flashing her bright smile – she was a favorite of the customers and staff. When Medicine Hat’s first Burger King opened, she took on a manager role. She loved working with the young staff and was a much loved mentor to many of them. Molly then managed the Woolworths cafeteria until her retirement. She met her partner, Leo Pelland, in 1982 and they spent the next 42 years together. Molly was an avid Tigers fan and accompanied her daughter to all of the games for many years. She moved into the Good Samaritans home about 8 years ago. The staff always commented how they loved her friendliness and quick wit. She occupied a lot of her time doing jigsaw puzzles and enjoying (and, of course, dancing to) the live music in the great room. Once you met Molly, you could never forget her! Molly is survived by her partner, Leo Pelland; her children, Murray Irving (Dianne Gehring) and Cheryl Ann Barrett nee Irving; grandchildren, Lisa Jo Dykema nee Heidinger (Blake), Jeffrey Barrett, Justin (Andrea) & Ryley (Kelly) Irving, Kenton & Lara Gilchrist and great-grandchildren, Slater & Sloan Dykema, Everett & Grayson Irving as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to Dr. Jeraj and the wonderful staff at Good Samaritans for the care they gave Molly in her later years as they treated her like family.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Sunday, June 2, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and again one hour prior to the service. The Funeral Service will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel on Monday, June 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Murray Jaster officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, Crematorium & Reception Facility, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4V4. Telephone 403-527-6455