Irene V. McCole

Irene Veronica McCole of The Woodlands passed away on Wednesday April 7th. She was born August 19, 1925 in New York City, the daughter of Alexander Paul Hamara and Mary Hamara (nee Maher). She is survived by her sister, Rosemary (“Tootie”) Wempe of New York city: three sons, John McCole and his wife Keith Crudgington of Eugene, Oregon; Matthew McCole and his wife Julia McCole of Boulder, Colorado; and Brian McCole and his wife Andrea McCole of The Woodlands, Texas; and a nephew, Ted Wempe of New York City. She also had four grandchildren, Maggie McCole of Sugar Land, Texas, Conor McCole, The Woodlands, Texas, Nora McCole, Eugene, Oregon and Maud McCole, Eugene, Oregon. She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years John Joseph McCole “Pop”.

“Mom” to her sons and “Nanny” to her grandchildren, she led a life full of travel and adventure. From humble beginnings in New York, Pop’s work with Esso Eastern took the family to Singapore in the Sixties. They enjoyed the sights and cultures of Asia, Europe, and all the stops along the way. Mom and Pop retired to April Sound on Lake Conroe.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a local animal shelter.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 1:00 PM Tuesday in the Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday April 13, 2010 in the Memorial Oaks Cemetery 13001 Katy Freeway Houston, Texas 77079.