USask mourns the passing of honorary degree recipient Irene Dubé

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is remembering the legacy of philanthropist and honorary degree recipient Dr. Irene Dubé (LLD’07), who passed away on June 9, 2026, at the age of 89.

Irene Dubé was predeceased by her husband, USask honorary degree recipient Dr. Leslie (Les) Dubé (LLD’07), who passed away on March 13, 2024, at the age of 91.

“On behalf of the University of Saskatchewan community, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Irene Dubé,” said USask President Dr. Vince Bruni-Bossio (PhD). “Through their legacy of philanthropy, Irene Dubé and her late husband, Leslie Dubé, had a profound impact on the lives of so many people at USask and across the province. We have been truly inspired by their generosity and vision, and we will always be grateful for their many contributions to our university.”

Les and Irene Dubé were born and raised in Wynyard, Sask., and married in 1954. Just six years later, they made their first private-sector investment by purchasing land on Eighth Street East in Saskatoon, and, by 1969, they opened a small business office to manage their growing venture.

The Dubés attributed the continued success of their Concorde Group of Companies to hard work, sound business practices, and social consciousness. In 1993, they decided to donate money accumulated from their business interests to charities, and their philanthropic efforts focused on health, education, religion, and poverty, locally and internationally. While managing the family business interests, Irene Dubé also provided service to the university, serving as a member of the Board of Governors from 1987 to 1989.

The couple made numerous donations to USask over the years, including a gift of $1 million in 2020 to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). The Les and Irene Dubé Good Samaritan Fund was created to support medical treatment at the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre for animals who are ownerless or who are owned by clients who cannot pay for care due to circumstances beyond their control.

The Dubés first came to the WCVM’s Small Animal Clinic when their first dog, Peppermint, collapsed and couldn’t walk. After undergoing surgery, Peppermint spent months in therapy with the WCVM’s rehabilitation team and recovered. It was the couple’s experience with Peppermint, along with other surgeries needed for their two Bichon Frise dogs, that made them want to help others.

In 2020, the Dubés spoke about the unconditional love that their two Maltese poodles, Sugar and Ginger, brought to their lives, and of their desire for other people to be able to enjoy their own pets for many years to come.

“We’ve had pets for the last 15 years and we have seen broken legs, a brain tumour—we have seen things that other people face just like us,” Irene Dubé said at the time. “Some people cannot afford to have that (treatment) done. As much as they don’t want to lose their pet, they shouldn’t have to take out loans to help their animals.”

Throughout their lives the Dubés supported dozens of charities in Saskatchewan, including a $10-million donation to support the University of Saskatchewan Health Sciences project. In their honour, a state-of-the-art library and a large lecture theatre in the Health Sciences Building were named the Leslie and Irene Dubé Health Sciences Library and the Leslie and Irene Dubé Theatre.

In 2007, during USask’s Spring Convocation, the Dubés received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees. Honorary degrees are the highest honour the university can bestow.

“Through her entrepreneurial spirit and community service, Irene Dubé has set an inspiring example for business and charitable leadership in the Saskatoon community,” states the honorary degree citation in USask’s Campus History Databases. “Saskatchewan born, her philanthropic efforts contributed to a new wing at Saskatoon’s St. Paul’s Hospital, equipment in the areas of surgery, urology and renal care, the establishment of a Breast Health Centre at Saskatoon City Hospital and the Les and Irene Dubé Community Service-Learning Program at St. Thomas More College.”

In 2012, St. Thomas More College (STM) at USask announced a $1-million leadership gift from the Dubés to STM’s $6-million capital campaign. In recognition of the gift, and in honour of their sustained generous support over the years, STM dedicated the Chair for Catholic Studies in their name as the Leslie and Irene Dubé Chair for Catholic Studies at St. Thomas More College.

Also in 2012, Leslie and Irene Dubé were recognized as Honoured Supporters of the University of Saskatchewan in celebration of National Philanthropy Day. The designation is awarded each year to influential community members and philanthropists at the Association of Fundraising Professionals luncheon, a gathering of donors, fundraisers, and volunteers in Saskatoon. The Dubés were selected for the special honour for their inspiring example of charitable leadership in the province through their ongoing commitment to USask.

Les and Irene Dubé have also been celebrated for their significant achievements in business. In 2006, they were inducted into the SABEX Hall of Fame, and they were recognized during the City of Saskatoon Centennial as part of the 100 Who Made a Difference. In 2008, the Dubés received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, the province’s highest honour, and in 2017, in recognition of their philanthropic contributions, they were named Members of the Order of Canada.