Irene Therese Buchbinder

Born January 3, 1921 to Lithuanian immigrants William Simanis and Anna Kasper, she grew up with her older brother, Bruno, in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood where her parents worked in the Stockyards meat packing industry.

The family lived on South Honore Street above Grandmother Kasper’s tavern. During the Prohibition years she innocently supported that business, as the story is told, by being transported in her baby stroller on a blanket covering small batches of hooch. Growing up she worshipped at Holy Cross Church, Chicago and attended Holy Cross School. Graduating from Lindblom High School, affectionately nicknamed ‘PeeWee,’ by teammates as the shortest competitor, she excelled in athletics, including volleyball, basketball and swimming. While also participating in local park district activities, Irene fondly remembered parading in a Duesenberg convertible on Michigan Avenue along with her dance group to perform at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.

While working in administration at Sears, Roebuck Company HQ on Homan Avenue, Irene met the love of her life, Edward N. Buchbinder. In April of 1942, Ed and Irene married before he reported for Officer Training School and his World War II deployment. Irene supported the war effort while living and working at a military base in Stockton, California. Upon his return from overseas service to Chicago, Ed and Irene grew their family, lovingly raising 2 sons, Ned and Paul. The family first lived on Superior Street, then moving to Harding Avenue on the near West Side of Chicago where Irene was active in her sons’ education as an active PTA member at Orr Public School.

In 1968, once her sons were in college, Irene began a 39-year career serving as Resident Manager of the newly built 27-story, 300-unit 5030 Marine Drive building, shepherding it through growing pains to a become a safe, friendly, successful community, where many of her residents became neighbors and friends, a legacy to her professional career.

Due to Edward’s late life health issues, Irene finally learned to drive. And drive she did. After her beloved Edward’s passing in 1978, Irene continued an active life, as she was often hard to find as she was driving, always driving. If there were celebrations of family and friends, celebrate she did. She so enjoyed and welcomed to so many birthday celebrations, baptisms, bar mitzvahs, graduations, weddings, fundraisers, Lithuanian luncheons and Galas, Memorial Day picnics, and holiday gatherings. Whether in Chicago, Colorado, or Texas, you couldn’t help but know and smile that Irene was there.

Irene would take her young sons to Ladies Day games at Comiskey Park and Wrigley Field, always packing egg salad sandwiches. Although born a South Sider, moving to the North Side overlooking the Friendly Confines, Irene converted to a loyal Cubs fan, and, thanks to her sons, a Notre Dame fan, emotionally following her teams’ slumps and successes.

Irene was a woman of faith, worshipping at Our Lady of the Angels Church on the West Side, and then for over 50 years at St.Ita Church in Edgewater. Irene was a proud member of the Chicago Lithuanian Women’s Club and Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture. She was a dedicated volunteer at Cancer Wellness Center, Northbrook. Irene and her family felt blessed by the friendship and care of her neighbors Sr. Raeleen and Sr. Virgie. She continued to live at 5030 after retirement until her passing. Irene’s final days were gratefully spent with the loving caregivers at St. Mary’s Home of The Little Sisters of the Poor, Chicago.

Preceded in death by parents William and Anna, stepdad Charley, brother Bruno(Ann), husband Edward, loving aunts Sophie, Bernice, Marion, Lil, and Elsie, dear cousins Adeline, and Dolores, both of whom were like sisters to her, Gordon and Victoria, companions Joe and Mike, and forever friends Ceil, Frank and Angie.

Survived by sons Ned(Melinda) and Paul(Candice), grandchildren Amanda(Aidan), Meredith(Nick, former spouse), Elise, and Matthew, great grandchildren Aurelia and Orla, nephew Michael, niece Susan, cousins Bernice, Madelyn, Cheryl, Gina, Kathy, Greg and so many caring friends.

Memorial Mass Saturday. November 9, 12:30 PM at St. Ita Church, 5500 N. Broadway, Chicago. Funeral Arrangements by Drake and Son Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of Irene:

https://www.cancerwellness.org/ways-to-donate/donate-now/

or

https://littlesistersofthepoorchicago.org/donate/