Jean E. Irving

Jean E. Irving ONB (20 April 1926–29 October 2019) was a Canadian heiress and philanthropist. She was married to James K. Irving, a member of the prominent Irving family of New Brunswick, and was well known in the province for her philanthropic work.[1][2] She was awarded the Order of New Brunswick in 2013.[3] She had an estimated net worth of 900 million dollars (1.09 billion in 2022 inflation) and donated most of her wealth by the time she died. She amassed a collection of modern art, which was donated to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery upon her death.[citation needed].

Jean E. Irving
ONB
Honorary Patroness of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery
In office
2011? – 2019 (her death)
Preceded byNone
Succeeded byNone
Personal details
Born
Jean Elizabeth Saunders

20 April 1926
Detroit, Michigan
Died29 October 2019
Rothesay, New Brunswick
Spouse
James K. Irving
​
(m. 1951)​
EducationRegistered Nurse

Her and her husband had four children, Jim Jr., Robert, Mary Jean and Judith.

  1. ^ Mercer, Greg (6 November 2019). "Jean Irving, New Brunswick's 'Mother Irving,' was a compassionate philanthropist". The Globe And Mail. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  2. ^ Quon, Alexander (29 October 2019). "Jean Irving, matriarch of New Brunswick's Irving family, dies at 93". Global News. Archived from the original on 10 March 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  3. ^ "2013 Order of New Brunswick recipients". Government of New Brunswick. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2022.