Irene Willette

Irene graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire. She earned her Masters Degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa; then taught 1st and 2nd grade students at Wisconsin schools for many years. After her father's death in 1947, Irene moved to live with her mother to help until her mother's death in 1964. Then she moved to Florida in 1977 to be closer to her brother and his family in Tampa. She settled in Clearwater, Florida and began teaching for the School District of Pinellas County. Irene attended USF to earn her Reading Specialist Certificate to enhance her expertise, and student performance. She lived her devotion to shaping young minds with over 40 years of teaching in elementary schools.

Irene was a devout Catholic and member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Clearwater, serving on many committees and projects throughout the years. She was a volunteer teacher for the Church Religious Education organization, and coordinated the program with 2nd grade candidates for the Sacrament of Communion. She was also chairman of the Sunday Social Committee. As a frequent visitor at her brother Les Willette's home, she was an unofficial member and often attended mass at Christ the King Catholic Church with the Willette family. Irene was also active in her community, participating in many volunteer programs. She was the Secretary on the Board of Directors for her condominium community. She assisted many elderly friends and members of her church community. Irene's interests were as intellectual as she was: she enjoyed Bridge, was an avid reader, and loved to travel. Irene was a first-class lady, in her manner, her dress, her speech and her tastes. On a trip to London, she sailed over on the Queen Elizabeth II ship and jetted home on the Concorde Supersonic Jet. Her legacy leaves a wealth of knowledge and culture for the family, accumulated from her lifetime spanning nearly a century!

Irene is now in heaven with her mother, Marie McCollow; father Lee W. Willette; brother Leslie R. Willette and nephew Tim Willette. She is survived by her sister-in-law Billie Willette and her family; niece Joan Willette DuChene; nephews Dan Willette (Yvette), Mike Willette (Melanie) and John Willette; great nephew Brian Willette (Michelle); great nieces Jacqueline DuChene Heyward (Joseph), Erin Willette Cushing (Jay), Jessica DuChene Hill (Robert), Kelsey Willette Gilmore (Brett); great great nephews Owen Cushing, Jacob Willette and Colin Gilmore; and great great niece Alice Marie Gilmore. She was loved by all, and will be missed. A funeral service will be conducted 10 am, Friday, February 26, 2021 at Blount and Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, 4207 E Lake Ave, Tampa Florida 33610. Interment will follow at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, Tampa, Florida.