We honor, with lifetime acclaim and special funerals, those military men and women who
sacrifice self to safeguard their country. My father was one of these battle tested WWII veterans
so honored.
But how, then, do we honor a woman who spent her entire life in the service of family, friends
and community? I wrote my father’s obituary detailing his military exploits and awards, his noble
character and his career accomplishments. It is with equal pride that I write the obituary of my
clever, kind and very hard working mother, Irene Gapen.
Irene was born the fourth of six children in Morgantown, West Virginia to Austrian immigrants.
Irene excelled in creativity and math. While still in high school, she was put in charge of payroll
at her parents’ Stone Quarry. She graduated from Business College and had a penchant for
logical household inventions and repairs. She was facile with her hands and sewed without
patterns, wallpapered, upholstered furniture and canned garden vegetables in the August heat.
Daughter Jane recalls her mother sitting down to the sewing machine after dinner dishes, then
waking the following morning to a new school dress hanging in her room. When her youngest
went to college, Irene fulfilled a lifelong dream of opening a successful small business in
Waynesburg.
Was a position to be filled? Irene was a Brownie and 4H leader, Sunday school teacher, 50
year hospital volunteer, and government election officer. She freely befriended “older” ladies
(some of them years her junior) who were alone and needed someone to care. She played
bridge, golfed, enjoyed needlework and made a difficult spare on the local TV show “Bowling for
Dollars”. Her greatest loves were her two daughters, three granddaughters and dancing. Each
grandchild received special attention at summer “Camp Reres” in Waynesburg.
Perhaps Irene’s greatest feat was caring for her husband of 58 years. Like many 1950’s
housewives, she sacrificed self as she strived to fulfill John’s every want and need. He was a
lucky man. Irene kept John at home until he passed at age 95, literally and figuratively
supporting his over six foot frame and complicated medical problems. As John often said with a
smile, Irene was the “Best Wife He Ever Had”.
Irene leaves behind daughter Jane, who was the Woman in the Arena in her parents’ final
years. Like all caretakers, she deserves a solid gold star on the sidewalk of life. Jane serves as
the Executive Director of the Greene County Humane Society. She has advanced the humane
treatment of all Southwestern Pennsylvania animals in her 25 year tenure. Daughter Cindy is a
retired Medical Doctor, who focused on Anatomic Pathology. Son-in-law Thomas Maynard is a
surgical oncologist specializing in robotic pancreatic surgery. They live in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Granddaughter Camille Irene and husband Tim Maddrix are hunter/jumper horse trainers based
in Lexington, Kentucky and Ocala, Florida. Granddaughters Elizabeth and Rhetta live in Los
Angeles. Elizabeth models in the United States and Europe with Ford Models; Rhetta is an
environmental engineer with a special interest in sustainable energy.
Though many of Irene’s good friends have preceded her in death, she is also remembered by
loving caretaker Jessica Work, bridge buddies, neighbors in Florida, faithful friend Carolyn
Brown, Rose Dallas and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Burial will be held at the family cemetery in Greensboro following private funeral services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Humane Society of Greene County, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
( www.greenepet.org ).
Today, we honor the memory of a Great Woman.
Respecting all her other accomplishments, Irene’s most profound legacy is true goodness and
selfless love. Her example will shower down to benefit generation after generation.
DONATIONS
Humane Society of Greene County183 Jefferson Road, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania 15370
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