In 2014, Irene’s life and her life’s work changed when she adopted a plant-based diet to improve her health. Not only did her health improve, but she developed deep compassion for the animals that she had been eating for over 60 years. She became an ethical vegan and pledged to devote the remainder of her life to ending the raising and slaughtering of domestic animals for food, ending trophy hunting, trapping, and fur-farming, and the use of animals for entertainment or personal adornment.

Born in Toronto, Irene received her BA from McGill University in Montreal. She moved to the United States, returning to university later in life for an MSc. in Blind Rehabilitation from Florida State University in Tallahassee. After retiring from her job with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in 2017, Irene settled in Burlington, Ontario, where she devotes her time to educating people on the ethics of veganism and encouraging them to adopt a plant-based diet to improve their health, to help preserve the environment, and to reduce animal suffering.

Irene is a member of the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, Ontario. She is also the lead contact for the UUAM Canadian Chapter (UUAMCA), a digital chapter that meets online and is open to UUs across Canada.