IRENE A. MCDOUGALL, 83, Duluth, passed away peacefully to eternal life in her sleep the morning of Sunday, September, 15, 2013.  She was born on July 7, 1930, in Duluth, Minnesota, the second born child of Michael and Frances (LaBuda) Bussa.  She graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1948. On October 20, 1962, she married the love of her life of nearly 50 years, the late James A. McDougall, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Over the years, Irene assisted her parents in operating the Dairy Delight that they owned in Cloquet, Minnesota, and the corner stores they owned in the Duluth area. She also worked in many office administration positions beginning her career as a secretary at Duluth Central High School and later working for Ojibway Press, Harcourt Brace Javonovich, and as an office manager for the Prudential Insurance Company.  After a career of nearly 20 years in this field, she chose to stay home to raise her children.  Shortly thereafter she became active in helping elementary students learn to read, served as a Girl Scout Troop leader, a Cub Scout Den mother, an officer for the Duluth Area and State Special Olympics, and was a member of the Parent Teacher Student Association for many years.  After her children graduated from high school, Irene went back to work and could often be found operating the children's train at the Miller Hill Mall, waitressing for events at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, and cashiering in the Miller Hill Mall.  Her final position was at The Chocolate Ship.  She was an ovarian cancer survivor of 28 years, making it fitting that the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge was lit in teal the night before her death to raise awareness of ovarian cancer.  Those who knew her well knew that she had a zest for life always telling her grandchildren you're as young as you feel and that she was only as old as the sum of the two digits in her age! Irene loved to sing and was an active member of St. Josephat's Polish National Catholic Church choir as a teenager.  As a adult, she and her husband, Jim, became members of Forbes United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed teaching Sunday School.  Her family has fond memories of her singing Christian tunes throughout the house.  Though in later years, Irene no longer attended church regularly, she made a point to pray nightly for each member of her family.  Over the years, she also enjoyed embroidery, knitting, sewing, reading, and doing many crafts.  She was an excellent cook!  She also spent many summer days at Side Lake, Minnesota, with her husband and family. More than anything, Irene loved her children and grandchildren.  She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, always placing the needs of her husband and her children first.  She loved Christmas and birthday celebrations and enjoyed showering her family with gifts and large birthday parties to honor them.  She and her husband, Jim, shared their love of giving to multiple humanitarian efforts throughout their life together, which she continued to do until the time of her death, dedicating 40 years of her life to her son, Bill.  She was a faithful servant to the Lord who always persevered and was always honest, giving, sharing, faithful, loyal, and strong.  She loved animals, and allowed her children to have various furry friends over the years.  In later years, she enjoyed the family's Miniature Schnauzer, Benji, and most recently her beloved Toy Poodle, Curly. Irene is survived by her three children, Beth Ann (Brian) Teskey, Timothy (Christine) McDougall; and William McDougall, all of Duluth; three step children, Jamie (Pieter Bekker) McDougall, Hibbing; Kent (Denise) McDougall, Hermantown; Scott (Karin) McDougall, West Salem, Wisconsin, and her brother, Richard Bussa, White Bear Lake; five grandchildren, many step grand and great-grandchildren, several cousins, nieces, and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Dorothy Bussa, and her husband, Jim. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 19,in Sunrise Funeral Home and will continue on Friday, September 20, from 1pm until the 2 p.m. Funeral Service in the Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  Arrangements by Sunrise Funeral Home.  To leave an online condolence see www.sunrisefuneralhomeandcemetery.com