Irene Enos

Irene was born in 1921 in South Alexandria, NH, the daughter of Lura Eleanor Noyes and Karl Albert Gordon. She was predeceased by her sisters Helen Gordon Merrill, Vera Gordon Dustin, Jean Gordon Brown and brother Arthur Karl Gordon. She graduated from Bristol (NH) High School and Concord (NH) Business College by the time she was 17. She went on to work at the Concord Lumber Company as a bookkeeper before marrying John Emerson Enos (deceased 2005) in 1945 when he was serving in the Army. She found work wherever her husband was stationed stateside, including a stint at the Presidio in San Francisco, before they settled in Salem, MA and began raising their three children.

The family moved to a house on Lake Winnipesaukee in Laconia, NH in 1953 where Irene worked part-time for the local orthodontist and became engaged in various pursuits. These included the Lakeport Women’s Club where she served as president and became an active thespian in numerous dramatic and comedic productions. She routinely held leadership roles in the PTA and was active at the Laconia Congregational Church.

In 1962 the family moved to Hartsdale, NY when her husband, who had been working for several years for the New York Air Brake Company, was transferred. She soon went to work for the YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester where her final and longest position in her 19-year tenure was as Assistant Executive Director – Administration. She was responsible for a large administrative, service and maintenance staff. Among her proudest accomplishments was providing not only employment opportunities, but guidance and support for women with disabilities, women who were/had been incarcerated and women who had been racially discriminated against. She and her husband retired to Bow, NH in 1982.

Always an avid and accomplished bridge player, Irene returned to her favorite past time with gusto in retirement, routinely playing several times a week. Never one to be idle, she also joined the Bow Garden Club where she served as treasurer and became a member of the local chapter of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) and served as secretary. She became active in the Concord South Congregational – UCC Church as trustee and deacon. She took up needlework in her 70s, tackling increasingly difficult projects. She and her husband traveled extensively. In her final years, following the Red Sox and her beloved Big Papi were highlights.

Irene is remembered by her children and grandchildren as someone who offered unconditional support, encouragement and counsel. She took enormous pride in their accomplishments and was equally generous in offering a hand up when they stumbled. She taught them to make their own way and to be kind while doing it.

She is survived by her daughter Judy Enos Weber and her husband Bob of Newton, MA; her son David Enos of Pittsburg, NH; her daughter Barbara Enos Clancy of Bow, NH: four grandsons and four great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Contributions may be made to South Church, United Church of Christ, 27 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH or Havenwood Heritage Heights, 33 Christian Avenue, Concord, NH 03301.