Elizabeth Ann Irwin was born on May 3, 1930, to Lester F. Dale, Sr. and Flora Elizabeth Dale. She was the second of four children. Elizabeth, or Betty, went to her eternal home to live with our Blessed Savior on March 20, 2019, at the age of 88 years and 10 ½ months. She was the loving mother of Betty Arendell Vaughn (Richard), Linda Arendell Nash (Dennis), Michael Irwin (Lisa), and Patrick Irwin (Mary). She was the grandmother to Christopher Vaughn (Lynnae), Kevin Nash (Kelly), Jeremy Nash (Kristin), Jerry Irwin (Nicole), Aaron Nash, Jeff Wood, Molly Irwin, and Iain Irwin. Her eight great-grandchildren are Dylan Nash, Paige Nash, Eric Vaughn, Brody Ward, Luke Nash, Carter Nash, Michael Irwin, and Eleanor Irwin. She was dearly loved by her many nieces and nephews and their families.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Lester Dale, Jr., and her two sisters, Laura and Shirley. She also suffered the loss of two husbands, Roy and Gerald.
Betty was proud of her Irish heritage. She always said she was told she was Black Irish. She had black hair, blue eyes and freckles. Her maternal grandfather, Patrick Byrnes, emigrated from Dublin, Ireland. St. Patrick’s Day would always be the occasion for corned beef and cabbage. Of course, everyone would sing “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” and “Danny Boy”.
Betty was born and grew up in Lemay, Missouri. She married the boy next door, Roy Allen Arendell. Betty and Roy had two daughters, Betty & Linda. Their marriage had barely begun when Roy died due to injuries sustained in a car accident. Betty and her two girls moved back to her parents’ home.
In 1955, Betty married her next love, Gerald Irwin. Betty and Jerry had two sons, Michael and Patrick. This marriage lasted almost 50 years. During that time, they enjoyed square dancing, camping, fishing, visiting the casino, playing poker, and loving their family.
When her younger son, Patrick, was three years old, Betty went back into the work force where she was a line supervisor for SunMark Candy Company. She would keep the family in Skittles, Oom Pahs, and Taffy.
With the passing of Jerry, Betty spent passing years finding her new normal, and living with her children at different seasons of her life.
Her life was long and well lived filled with the love and joy of family.
A visitation for Elizabeth will be held Sunday, March 24, 2019 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Heiligtag-Lang-Fendler Funeral Home, 1081 Jeffco Blvd, Arnold, MO 63010. A funeral service will take place Monday, March 25, 2019 at 10:30 AM in the funeral home chapel. The committal service will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, 1215 Lemay Ferry Rd, Lemay, MO 63125.
In memory contributions are encouraged to the McKnight Crossings Church of Christ, 2515 S McKnight Rd, St. Louis, MO 63124.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.heiligtagfuneralhome.com for the Irwin family.
