Irene R. Dell

Always smiling and talking with those she met on her frequent three wheeled bicycle rides, Irene was well known by her neighbors in the Harbor Oaks subdivision and many along Riverside Dr. One of sixteen children born to Alfred and Elizabeth Linton Jr., Irene was born in Olney, Maryland. Irene married Ottis Dell in 1947, after having been best friends with his sister in high school. He predeceased her in 2011.

A strong and loving woman, she and her late husband Ottis moved to Florida in the early 80’s. Irene was a retired seamstress – sewing in a factory and also, perhaps more, for her family and friends creating various outfits and dress clothes throughout the years. As the family grew to include grandchildren, Irene became a supporter of all of their activities, especially band.

A self-taught fisherman after she retired, Irene also enjoyed crabbing and shrimping when you couldn’t find her in her garden, sprucing the place up with various colors of flowers, vegetables, and decorations. A card shark in her own right, she enjoyed spending time with family, whether it was playing cards, getting together for family dinners, or just being with one another. Sometimes stubborn, she loved her family through their own stubbornness, and taught them the value of working hard and a job well done – whether it be for work, pleasure, or recreation. 

She leaves behind her devoted daughter, Karen (George) Gaskins, brother Kenneth (Bernice) Linton, and sister Evelyn (William) Burns. The grandchildren will miss their “Mama” daily: Brian (Kristy) Dell, Amanda (Rich) Hart, Whitney Dell, Matthew Dell, along with step grandchildren: Spencer (Karlie) Gaskins, Jeff Gaskins, Mike (Melissa) Gaskins, and Keith Owings. Her great grandson Camden, step greatgrandchildren Rebecca, Olivia, Richie, Callahan, Piper, and Victor, in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and close friends, including goddaughter Dyana Conway will also cherish her memory.

Her late husband, Ottis, two sons Bruce and Alfred, a granddaughter and several siblings all welcomed Irene into Heaven with open arms upon her arrival.

A Celebration of Irene’s Life will be held Saturday, October 22, 2022 at the church she called home: First Baptist Church of Harbor Oaks, 5730 S. Ridgewood Avenue in Port Orange, beginning at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please consider donations to HB Plant High School Band, Attention: Band Boosters, 2415 S. Himes Ave, Tampa FL 33629 where Irene’s grandson (Brian) is the band director or Volusia Young Marines, Unit Commander: Sara Zettlemoyer, 2819 Umbrella Tree Dr., Edgewater FL 32132 – an organization and its volunteers that Irene cared deeply for.