Irene Stephens, July 3, 1920-July 9, 2015 – Irene Stephens passed away unexpectedly six days after joyfully celebrating her 95th birthday with her family in Corvallis.
Irene was a radiant, loving, courageous, and deeply spiritual person treasured by her family and her many friends. She was extremely gifted in her hobby of colored pencil artistry and won numerous blue ribbons for her lovely knitted and crocheted clothing and baby blankets. Irene was a kind and giving person, knitting gifts for new babies and cancer patients. She was a longtime member of LBCC’s Write Your Life Story class and completed four memoirs detailing each phase of her life, including fascinating stories of growing up in Montana in the 1920s and 1930s. She was eager to learn anything new and was adept at using her computer to keep in touch with friends and family.
All who knew Irene were inspired by her loving concern for others and appreciation of nature’s beauty, awed by her detailed memory, and warmed by her infectious laugh. Irene was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Webb, her parents Clifford and Opal Marsh, her siblings Bill, Bob, and Merle Marsh and Adeline Dotson, and her granddaughter Leah. She is survived by her sons Wayne, Jan, and Dean (Pam), her grandchildren Laura (Mark), North (Heather), Lauren (Brent), Sean, Clay, and Caleb, her great grandchildren Tyler and Tiana, and her great great grandchildren Bryce and Bentley. Irene will also be sorely missed by her beloved sister-in-law Dianne Marsh and several close nieces and nephews. Irene made lifelong friends wherever she went. We were blessed to have her in our lives. A small family celebration of life will be held at a later time. We invite you to share your happy memories of Irene here or on her Facebook.
Tributes
Leave a tributeWe will truly miss her beautiful smile and loving smile...she was always a beautiful person. Al and Terry
As a 60-something, I observed some people older than me specifically to figure out what NOT to do as I aged. But you I watched to know what TO do well: laugh easily and often; never stop learning something new; be kind and be social; keep up with current events and young people; keep your mind open; always have a creative project in hand; eat well; have friends from different generations; and learn how to use social media!
I send my condolences to your family members who are probably trying to figure out how to live in a world with you no longer in it. I know I am. Love you, Elnora
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Wonderful reminders of life in Montana
This isn't from Laura. It's from Lynita, but Laura was logged onto the computer when I sat down. Sorry.
Being an "in-law" I didn't get to visit with Irene very much, but the moments were precious. Irene reminded me so much of my Dad and his brothers who also grew up in Montana at about the same time. Her stories of school, social life and work when she was younger were all an adventure into the past for me. I still thank her for that.
In addition her lessons in patience and quietness and goodness were a welcome change from the quick response life we all seem to lead.
I'm sure the rest of the universe is still enjoying Irene. Thank you for sharing her with me.
My mothers Journal
Sunday morning 7/30/11
Thank you thank you for my life. I am so blessed. How I get to live & be & love-- to keep growing to keep returning to my inner god -- to live in the now and enjoy every moment of it --to find ways to share the love and caring that comes through me, Just be & let it radiate out into the world-- the way will happen without input from me as I go to move about in my life. So many opportunities just come everywhere at anytime without any planning or any expectations just knowing that my inner god is always there always available at the turn of a thought-- surrender and give over and let God and let the joy come through and out everywhere all the time every place---
An Extraordinary Grandma
Last weekend my Grandmother Irene Stephens passed away suddenly without warning, at the age of 95. She was born in 1920! We celebrated her birthday only a few days ago. She was self-sufficient until the very end -- cooked her own meals, did her own shopping, drove her car...and passed quickly in her own home. She was a great artist and writer, having practiced drawing and other arts for 30+ years. She learned how to use a computer and was a regular Facebook user!
But more importantly, she was a deeply spiritual and inspiring person. She lived the life of a Bodhisattva, an enlightened being. She was unafraid of death, was gracious, loving and compassionate to all without judgment, and effortlessly saw the positive in all people and things. No matter what happened in her life, even things like cancer, she embraced it! She never studied Zen a day in her life but she lived the principles far better than I do after years of study.
No one can be surprised when a 95 year old woman passes on. But I am surprised by how much I miss her. I love you Grandma.