Irene was born on March 7th, 1932 in Pansec Junction. She was the daughter of the late William and Emma (Trites) Powers and was the wife of the late Edward Peterson, who passed away in 1998. Irene went to school at Lakeside School and as a teenager, moved to Apohaqui with her mother and Bessie, although she did go back and spend time with her dad in Moncton. In 1948, she married Edward Peterson and they went on to have two children: Linda in 1949 and Gordie in 1952. They lived in Fox Hill but eventually built a house in Apohaqui. Irene worked very hard to take care of her family. She worked at Nelson Parlee's cleaning cabins and in the store as well. She delivered mail for Canada Post and eventually went on to Barbour's where she retired from. Irene was fiercely independent and lived in Apohaqui taking care of herself. Her house was always immaculate and her yard was perfect. She was very creative, decorating and changing rooms. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting, making doughnut men for the grandkids. The treasure in her life was her family. She would cook big meals for them at Christmas and Easter and she looked forward to these times. She never missed a birthday or an anniversary. Irene was very active and in the evenings she would have her budgie bird, Penny, who kept her company. She loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and looked forward to their visits. The legacy she leaves for them is one of love, kindness and generosity. She will be missed. Irene is survived by her daughter, Linda Long and her husband Vernon of Snider Mountain; her son, Gordon of Sussex; her sisters: Rita Steeves of Painsec Junction and Bessie McGiver and her husband Eddie of Fredericton; 5 grandchildren: Shelley Doyle and her husband Mike, Pamela Urquhart and her husband Andrew, Jaime Long and Darlene Doiron), Jolene Otis and her husband Rob and Brad Peterson and his wife Karen; 12 great grandchildren: Travis Gray, Emma Gray, Jayden Main, Chandler Doyle, Kyle Long, Katelynn Urquhart, Austin Long, Kirkland McDonald, Dylan McDonald, Emma Oits, Samantha Hartling and Jenna Peterson; her great great granddaughter, Chloe; as well as several nieces and nephews. Irene was predeceased by two brothers: Garfield Powers and Winston Powers and by two sisters, Muriel Steen and Rose Hatfield and her daughter in law Reta Peterson (Armstrong) in 2011. Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, (506-433-1176) where visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 5th from 7-9pm. A service celebrating Irene's life will be held from Wallace Community Chapel on Thursday, March 6, 2014 at 11:00 am. The interment will take place at Riverbank Cemetery. If you are considering making a memorial donation the family has recommended the Canadian Diabetic Association. www.wallacefuneralhome.com