Irene Hause Aman
1954 - 2002
Irene Aman was born to Herman and Helene Hause in Edmonton, Alberta, August 4th, 1954, along with her twin sister Ilene. She had two other sisters, Linda and Judy, and a brother Herman.
Irene’s faith was steeped in Lutheran tradition and it was within that tradition that she proudly worshipped and ministered throughout her life. She had a deep love for Trinity Lutheran Church in Edmonton, this being the church of her childhood. One of her greatest desires was to return to Edmonton to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of her beloved church and she was able to do this just before she died.
After graduating high school, Irene attended Camrose Lutheran College and the University of Alberta, obtaining her BA in Sociology. While she was there Irene traveled to Guatemala with a group of young people to help construct a bridge after this impoverished country had suffered an earthquake. This experience set the direction of Irene’s life, which was a life dedicated to serving Christ. One of Irene’s unfulfilled dreams was to be fully ordained as a minister within her denomination. It has, however, been said by many who knew her that indeed she was a minister in every sense of the word. While in Bonneyville, Irene demonstrated one of her many special gifts being journeying with and counseling those suffering through the grief process. Simultaneously, she continued her studies towards a Masters of Divinity, taking courses by correspondence and attending the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Irene was seriously involved in seeking social justice and equality relating to women and minority issues. She was associated with IYAPSA, and traveled to Angola where she witnessed the needs of the African people. Irene obtained a certificate in Christian Pastoral Education and was certified as an Institutional Specialist in Pastoral Care.
Irene was hired by the Director of Social Services in Bonneyville, Alberta in 1978. He just happened to be a single young man named Terry Aman. A romance blossomed and Terry and Irene were married July 19th, 1980. Terry and Irene had two beautiful children. Both Peter and Jennifer are now married and Peter and his wife have a beautiful baby girl. Irene did not live to see either of her children married or witness the birth of her granddaughter.
Irene joined the CAPPE residency groups to complete summer units at the University Hospital under supervision of Dr. Margaret Clark in both summer of 1995 and the summer of 1997. During the summer of 1997 she completed her second advanced unit and proceeded to become a CAPPE Specialist. Irene was both ambitious and creative. While completing her training Irene put together a proposal for the establishment of Spiritual Care at Bonneyville Hospital and thus created herself a chaplaincy job. She worked in Bonneyville until August of 1999 when she moved with her husband and children to North Vancouver, B.C.
Irene became the Palliative Care Chaplain at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. It is rather ironic that Irene’s final days were spent in a hospital room at St. Paul’s just across the hall from her office.
Irene was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2000. She joined Abreast in a Boat in 2001, paddling in Deep Cove. She valiantly served her team as a drummer in 2001-2002. Another of her desires was to live long enough to celebrate her birthday with her twin. After a joyful birthday celebration at home on August 6th, 2002, Irene died peacefully on August 8th, 2002 in a hospital room across from her office at St. Paul’s Hospital. Her memorial service was held on August 12th at her family church, Gloria Dei Lutheran in North Vancouver. In honor of Irene, many of her friends wore brightly coloured clothes, as was Irene’s wish.
To quote the words of another dearly departed friend, “You never know when you’re making a memory.” Irene left all of us who knew and loved her with many cherished memories. Thank you my friend.
Submitted in loving memory of a dear friend by
Marj Pettinger and Anne Zimmerman |
