Denise Schneider Irvin

After a brief marriage to Benjamin C. Danner, in 1946, she married George Walter Irvin on October 13, 1950. Denise leaves behind 5 children, 2 from her first marriage and 3 from her second: Cynthia Louise, Robert Jeffrey, Dana Denise, Georgia Lee, and Andrea Edith; 15 Grandchildren, and 29 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren!

Denise graduated from East Bakersfield High School in 1946 and continued her college education in night and summer school classes for 11 years until she accumulated enough credits for an AA degree.

During high school and at the height of WWII, Denise worked for the Bakersfield Californian after school and during summer vacations. In the spirit of patriotism, she worked on rationing boards, aircraft surveillance towers, crop harvests, and even sold war bonds. Her love for our country continued throughout her life. Denise continued working and spent over 30 years employed as a school secretary both at Rio Bravo Elementary School and Emerson Junior High School.

Denise lovingly credited her grandmother, Nellie Graham, a Seventh Day Adventist, for her early religious education. Denise and George were later baptized and confirmed in 1956 into the Episcopal Church. Following her grandmother’s influence, she began her lifelong dedication of service to the church. She served as a Sunday School teacher, became an active member of the Altar Guild, and served as Church treasurer; she was a member of the Bishop’s Committee, was active in the Daughters of the King, served as President of the Episcopal Church Women, Secretary to the Diocesan Episcopal Church Women, and represented St. Paul’s Episcopal Church as delegate to one of the Diocesan Conventions. As part of the new congregation of Trinity Anglican Church she was a leader in the formation of The Daughters of the Holy Cross. For many years, she was fondly known as “the cookie lady” rolling out fresh baked cookies, punch, and coffee after church on Sundays. Very special and spiritually impactful to Denise was a trip to the Holy Land with church friends.

Our Mom loved to travel and following her retirement she and Dad took many fun cruises and road trips. Her love for ancestry took them to Scotland where they visited the Irvine Castle, ancestral home to Dad. Following Dad’s death, Mom continued to travel abroad to France and England.

Our Mom was an avid reader, and especially enjoyed English and American historical novels and literature. Her personal library was also packed with religious and spiritual books which she chose to donate to Trinity Anglican Church’s new library in the hope of inspiring and educating generations to come.

Mom followed weather patterns (religiously) and faithfully tuned in each night to listen to Miles Muzio on a local TV channel. The Bakersfield newspaper was also a “must-have.” She could be found many mornings enjoying a cup of coffee on her patio, laughing over the latest Peanuts comic strip or bemoaning the latest political event. No secret to anyone, she was a true Republican!

Mom and Dad loved Dodger baseball and for years were active in the Dodger Booster Club. It was not uncommon for Dad to pick Mom up from work and speed off to arrive just in time for the opening pitch in Los Angeles.

Mom loved natural beauty. She and Dad especially enjoyed their years in Bear Valley Springs, where they landscaped their yard with natural habitat to attract the wildlife. Mom was the hostess-extraordinaire. Her home was the hub for all family and friends’ gatherings and she used each event to bring out all her crystal, chinaware, and silver. She enjoyed cooking and baking new recipes but also introduced us to recipes from her childhood. She shared many, many memories with us as we worked alongside her.

In so many ways, Denise, our Mom, and your friend was an outstanding person, leaving so much of herself behind. She will be missed by us all.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestmemorial.com for the Irvin family.