Irene Frances Lloyd, born 14th March, 1927 in London, England, passed peacefully on April 8th, 2025, at Taylor Care Center in Jacksonville, Florida, following a lengthy battle with dementia. By her side were her daughter, Alison Hollaway, and close family friend, Richelle (Shell) Stevens, as well as her dedicated hospice carers, Bessie Franklin and Shirley Adonis.
Irene’s father passed away when Irene was just 2 years old, and her widowed mother, Dorothy, was left to care for her three children alone. She moved the family to the new town of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire in 1930. Dorothy took in lodgers to help make ends meet, so times were quite difficult. Irene’s beloved sister, Betty, 11 years her senior, was a wonderful sister and took very good care of her baby sister. She predeceased Irene in 2002 as did her brother, John Zoller, in 1986, and her mother in 1972.
Irene met and married Laurence Hollaway at just 19 years of age and, together they had two children, Alan born in 1948, and Alison born in 1951. They grew up in the wonderful small town of Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire, UK.
In 1980, Irene moved to Jacksonville, Florida and married her childhood friend, Derek Austin Lloyd in July 1981. Alison relocated to Jacksonville, after spending 20 years in Saudi Arabia, in 1996. Derek passed away from side effects of Covid, while visiting his daughter, Robin, in January 2024 and, although Irene was already living in Her Heart assisted living facility, she never stopped asking “Where’s Derek?”
Irene is survived by Alan Hollaway of Kamloops, British Colombia, Canada, daughter, Alison Hollaway of Jacksonville, Florida, stepdaughter Robin Banford Geisler (Jim), of Lake Ridge, VA, the mother of her two grandchildren, Frances Helland of Edmonton, Canada, the grandchildren, Clare Coghill (Ian) of Kamloops, Canada, Mark Hollaway (Dorothy) of Calgary, Canada, six great-grandchildren Mathew Coghill (Kirstyn), Jennifer Coghill (Ray), Basil, Monty, Ezra, and Penelope Hollaway, and one great-great-grandchild Liam Coghill.
She is also survived by a beloved niece, Jacqueline Pamflett who lives in Spain along with her two children, Alexandra (Bartolo) and Curtis, and six grandchildren.
During her 98 years on earth, Irene had a great love for her family, animals and nature, music, movies and musicals. During her declining years, before being admitted to assisted living, she loved to just spend time with Alison, friend Shell, beloved niece Jacki (who made several visits to visit from Spain where she lives), and Alan, who visited whenever possible, including twice in 2024, recognizing that Irene’s time was limited. Unfortunately, advanced macular degeneration had robbed Irene of her ability to drive, read, something she loved to do, or enjoy movies or TV shows the way he had once done.
Many thanks to the staff of Her Heart Assisted Living Facility, and Taylor Care Center in Jacksonville for their care during Irene’s stay, but particularly the carers from Community Hospice and Palliative Care for their unending patience and compassion during the most difficult times. A special thank you to Irene’s hospice nurse during her stay at Her Heart, Alma Flowers, who continued to keep in touch with Alison after Irene’s passing to check on how I was doing. Also, our unending thanks go to Shell Stevens, Alison’s constant loving friend. Shell loved our Mum like she was her own, and helped in visiting her when Alison couldn’t, and walked the terrible, painful journey by her side, and is remaining to do so.
Irene will be forever missed, but her memory will remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, August 17th at 12pm, in the Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Drive.
Condolences may be sent to the family at
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com