Irene McCutcheon was born in Vancouver in 1931 to Finnish
parents, Anna (nee Huuhka) and Yrjo Mutta. Her parents met in Vancouver in the
late 1920s after emigrating from Karelia, a part of Finland later invaded by
the Soviet Union during WWII.
Airi's father had a Grade 6 education and worked at an
autobody repair shop. Yrjo performed in many plays at the thriving Finnish
community's Clinton Hall. Her mother, who had a Grade 3 education, was a
skilled weaver and seamstress, and made many of Airi's clothes. As an only
child, Airi had the finest clothes sewn by her mom from patterns of the current
styles through her high school and university years.
Airi grew up learning Finnish at home and English at school
with friends. She had a talent for music and performed at Clinton Hall many
times providing piano accompaniment to both singers and instrumentalists. She
completed her Grade 10 Piano from the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto
after having two children and taught piano to neighbourhood kids wherever she
lived. Later in life she served as soloist at the Burnaby church and a church
organist when needed.
In her early school years, she informally anglicized her
name Airi to Irene. She attended Templeton Junior High and graduated from
Britannia High School in 1950. She completed Normal School in 1952 and received
her Elementary School Certificate in 1954. She subsequently taught in Lac La
Hache, BC. She met David at UBC dance, and they married in the summer of 1956. Irene
was introduced to Christian Science when she met David and became a dedicated
student of its teachings. Many years were devoted to raising her four children –
Ann (deceased 2005), Matthew, George and Timothy.
Airi-Irene continued her interest in art. She took art
classes with Peter Aspell at the Vancouver School of Art. While at UBC she
studied printmaking and painting with Gordon Smith (1919-2020), a key figure in
contemporary Canadian art. She holds degrees from the University of British
Columbia (UBC) and Emily Carr College of Art and Design (now Emily Carr
University of Art and Design). McCutcheon has taught art at various
institutions in the region and has exhibited her work widely. Her work has been shown at the Richmond Art
Gallery and the Vancouver based Bau-Xi gallery. Her piece titled "Sand Scribble
#106", was created in 1984. This
highly textural work by McCutcheon is a part of the Richmond Art Gallery
Permanent Collection in 1986.
In her "Sand Scribbles" series, McCutcheon
explores the graphic elements of scrawls in the sand, particularly focusing on
the shape of hearts. This piece incorporates acrylic paint, sand, shells, and
other found objects.
Irene's unique sand scribble paintings were copied by a
notable stained-glass artist who used her images without legal permission in
stained glass artwork and installations. While she still produced some art
following the court case, she focused more on exploring her Finnish heritage,
including researching the history of Clinton Hall, and lobbying Burnaby City
Council to fund a new building for the Burnaby Art Gallery.
Irene loved the arts and supported the Vancouver Symphony
Orchestra, Bard on the Beach, and many art galleries in the Lower Mainland. She
served on multiple boards and committees in her community. Irene was also a
founding member of the Canadian Friends of Finland in 1989 and remained a
member throughout her life.
In their retirement years, Irene and Davie travelled to
Europe, visited relatives and friends in Finland, took cruises and visiting and
North American road trips.
She was a very welcoming individual and a leader, nurturing
the many friendships that she made throughout her life. Many were lifelong
friends that shared dinners, art openings and vacations together. Her large
family includes her grandsons Gabriel, Carmine, Northrop, Keihgan and Luke and
granddaughter Hannah.
McCutcheon (nee Mutta), Airi (Irene) passed away quietly on
August 4, 2025, at the age of 93. She was predeceased by her husband David
(2012), and daughter Ann (2005) and is survived by sons George (Ingrid),
Matthew (Rita), and Timothy (Kelly).
A celebration of (Airi) Irene McCutcheon’s 's life will be
held at the Scandinavian Community Centre, 650 Thomas Street, Burnaby on
November 8, 2025, at 11:00 am. Reception and lunch to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favourite charity
or arts organization.
