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
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.