Mom, (Irene) was born in Castor on June 25, 1928 to Joseph and Margaret Galm. She attended the Greenview School for Grades 1 – 9 and boarded at the Convent to complete her high school at Theresetta School.
After graduating, at the age of 17, she taught 27 students from Grades 1 – 9 at the Rosetta school and roomed at Percy Chapman’s just down the road. It was during this time that she first met her future husband – Mac Seth, who conveniently lived right beside the school.
After this, she moved into Castor and worked at the egg grading station, Matthias Hardware and then at O.W. Colley Lumber.
On July 7, 1949, Mom and Dad were married in the Knox United Church in Castor and both worked for O.W. Colley until 1953 when their first son, Colin was born.
In 1955 they moved to the farm with Mac’s parents, eventually buying the farm in 1962. Hard work prevailed through tough times, while welcoming three more children, Wayne in 1955, Margaret in 1957 and Karen in 1960.
In March of 1972, her life was shattered when Dad (Mac) passed quickly from a massive heart attack leaving her with four young children. With the help of neighbours and friends, Mom worked very hard to hold onto the farm until Wayne graduated from school and was able to take it over.
In 1975 Mom was hired at the County of Paintearth School Division. This was a job she thoroughly enjoyed for 19 years, advancing her position to executive secretary. During this time she made many new friends and enjoyed the freedom and resources to travel.
In 1982 Mom built a new house in Castor where she resided until her passing on Sept. 25, 2023.
In 2010, Mom was diagnosed with Myasthenia gravis but that didn’t stop her from leading a very full life to the age of 95 years, three months.
Until just this year, she kept an immaculate yard with a large garden and an abundance of flowers. She took great pride in her yard and house and they were the brightest and most decorated on the block during the entire Christmas season.
This summer she realized, on her own, that it was getting too much for her and had planned to move into the Paintearth Lodge.
Mom passed away peacefully in the early morning on Sept. 25, with her loving family present, after a brief illness of pneumonia.
Irene is survived by her children: Colin (Carmen) Seth, Wayne (Diane) Seth, Margaret (Richard) Seth-Perreault and Karen (Ross) Duncan; grandchildren: Jody (Gordon), Naomi, Jenna (Justin), Mac, Lane, Sam, Angela (Shane), Jennifer (Michael), Cory (Kelsey), Lindsey (Brennen), Heather (Alim), Matthew, Alisia (Darrick), Michelle (Richard) and Dustin (Ashley).
Also her great-grandchildren: Jessica (Tazmir), Jaycee, Brayden, MacKenzie, Qwynn, Ethan, Addison, Dylan, Tyler, Jayden, Morgan, Claire, Will, Farrah, Bristol, Cienna and Elise; and great-great-grandchildren Jamilla and Trex.
She is also survived by her sister Evelyn Scott; sisters-in-law Alice Morgan and Helen MacLean; numerous other family and many dear friends and neighbours.
Irene was predeceased by husband Mac in 1972; parents Joseph and Margaret Galm; brothers Johnny, Edward Galm; infant sister Mary; parents-in-law William E., Katie and Janet Seth; sisters-in-law Jean O’Coin and Arlene Galm.
“When we lose someone we love, we must learn not to live without them but to live with the love they left behind”
Funeral services were held on Mon. Oct. 2, 2023 at 2 p.m. at the Knox United Church, Castor, Alta.
Memorial donations may be made to OLRH Foundation, Heart & Stroke Foundation, Canadian Diabetes Association or charity of your choice in memory of Irene.
Condolences for the family may be left by visiting www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com.
Parkview Funeral Chapels were entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements. For further information please call 403-882-3141.