Irene V Caldwell

Irene Victoria Bojarski Caldwell was born the daughter of Joseph and Anna Galicka Bojarski of Jamaica, New York and Poland. She had two older brothers, Henry and Joseph who have predeceased her and welcomed her into heaven along with their wives, Gertrude and Gladys who were also her good friends. Her sister, Regina, and brother in-law Joe Haley reside in Philadelphia.

Our mother had three daughters, Irene Caldwell of Plymouth, MA, Barbara Canton of Oyster Bay, NY and Mary Ann Perks of Saugerties, NY . She loved her sons-in-law William Perks and Joe Canton as if they were her sons she never had.

Irene was lucky to have eight wonderful grandchildren who loved her dearly: Jennifer, Christine, Rebecca, Michael, Emily, Owen, Hilary, and ErinAnna. She had three grandsons-in-law: Dave, Will and Jamie. She had five great grandchildren: Annie, Ben, Ryan, Kelly and Lucca. She loved her many nieces, grandnieces and nephew who called her all the time. Irene was lucky to have had many good friends from Long Island to Plymouth and all over through her many adventures who watched out for her and who just might have had a piece of candy in their pocket for her – chocolate being her favorite.

Irene lived in New Hyde Park for over 50 years with the love of her life, Frank A. Caldwell. They were in their 62nd year of wedded bliss when he died. For the last year and a half, Irene lived in Plymouth with her daughter, Irene.

Irene graduated from Jamaica High School where she was a proud member of the Tennis Team and her high school sorority. She maintained a close relationship with these women throughout her entire life.

Irene worked as a secretary for the Cotton Spool Company in the Empire State Building, New York City, the Center Street Elementary School and the Nassau County Police Department where she was known to have kept a tight ship.

Irene loved looking at the moon, listening to her music all day long while dancing, and telling everyone the joke of the day.

Her rules included: do it right the first time, don’t waste time gossiping, live each moment to the fullest, find joy in the simplest things, have a good hobby and most important, love your family to the fullest and don’t forget to dance. Her mantra was the song, Hot Diggity - waking you up to get you going and smile - like a half a cup of coffee in the morning “to make you human." Her favorite love song Yours, was not quite accurate - there is no end to life’s story - she goes on in all of us she has ‘touched’ !