Irene Mae Hendrickson

Irene Mae (Vance) Hedrickson, 81, of Southington passed away peacefully on Monday, December 16, 2024 at her home surrounded by her loved ones. She was the wife of the late Samuel C. Hendrickson. Irene was born July 13, 1943 in New Britain, she was the daughter of the late Kirkor Atashian and Norma Schmidt.

Irene graduated from the 1964 inaugural class of the New Britain General Hospital Nursing School. It was here where she met her loving husband of 57 years, and they had been together ever since. After graduating college with her B.A she held numerous positions both within the private sector and the state of CT specializing in elder abuse and neglect. Irene was a kind and very generous human being, giving of herself not only to others in need, but also to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a very active member of the First Congregational Church of Southington, where she was not only a founding member of the Stephen Ministry, but an integral leader for many years. A fun loving person, she loved her crossword puzzles and Nicholas Spark books, she loved to camp with her family, spend time in the garden, look at birds, and spend time on the Cape. She was a passionate friend who reliably would always be there when you needed her. However, family to Irene, was everything. She was the super glue that held the family together. Now she watches over them in Heaven.

She is survived by her two daughters Suzanne DePaolo and Renie Janelle both of Southington; and was Gram to her four grandchildren Alicia Janelle and husband Jamie Munger of Southington, Clinton DePaolo and wife Anouk of Sandy Hook, Anthony DePaolo and wife Kelly of Wolcott and Christopher DePaolo and fiancée Lisa Cianciolo of Bristol; and Great Gram to her two great-grandsons Nathan and Bastien DePaolo. Also she was great grandma to her fur babies Squirt and Tika. She was predeceased by a brother Richard Vance.

Services for Irene will be held privately with her family and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bread for Life, 31 Vermont Ave., Southington CT 06489, The Meriden Humane Society, 311 Murdock Ave., Meriden CT 06450 or to the Connecticut Audubon Society, 2325 Burr St., Fairfield CT 06824