Irene S. Ryan Vaught, 84, died peacefully, December 29, 2022. She was born in Norfolk, Virginia on February 22, 1938. Irene grew up in the Norfolk area and was a graduate of Norview High School class of 1956. In 1959 she married her loving husband, Wade (Pete) Riley Vaught, Jr., and moved to Virginia Beach. They celebrated 51 years of marriage until his death in 2010.
Irene worked in downtown Norfolk's banking district until the birth of her children, when she chose to be a stay at home mom to her daughters whom she adored. In 1976 Irene went back to work to financially help the family and to support her daughters in their extracurricular and outside activities. Irene worked as an insurance billing agent for Humana Health later becoming Sentara Health Systems, until her retirement in 1996. In April 1988, a new ray of sunshine came into her life with the birth of her granddaughter, whom she watched and cared for, for her first 6 months, while continuing to work her full time job during the evening hours. Irene lived her life for and through the joy and eyes of her girls.
Irene was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, G-Mama and friend, who will be dearly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward J. Ryan and Edith D. Stewart Ryan. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Laura-Dale Vaught Romeo and her husband, Frank; and Amy Wade Vaught; granddaughter, Amanda Nicole Romeo and her fiancée, Jessica; her brothers, Edward Joseph Ryan, Jr. and Stewart Owen Ryan; and dearest, long time and forever friend, Adel Luke.
A viewing for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, followed by a memorial service in the chapel at 2:00 pm officiated by Pastor Beth Anderson, and interment to follow within the Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at a small reception following the interment, back, in the Funeral Home Reception Area. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.WoodlawnNorfolk.com.
