I still see your bright smile after all these years, and my heart aches when I think of you, my dear Irene. I remember our road trip through Portugal with paper maps. So many wrong turns, yet it was so so much fun! I returned to Paris again last spring, and the city was filled with the memories of you. I will forever miss you!

Still missing Irene after these years. I am so glad our three children got to meet her. Her smile is unforgettable.

We never know what tomorrow might bring. That's why I'm so glad we didn't put it off but instead seized the opportunity to make the trip to Pittsburgh and Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. One couldn't ask for a more fun travelling companion than Irene, and I'll carry wonderful memories of that trip with me always.

Irene loved to dance so much, she just moved so gracefully all the time. She had beautiful moves no matter what she did, running, hula hooping, she just moved like a ballerina. And she laughed so full-bodied, I miss that laugh of hers. I remember her trying several times to talk with Siri on her iPhone and each time Siri misheard her and said something completely different, she laughed every time there was a misfire but she kept trying I think because it made others laugh with her. She was so joyous. 

Jouel, hope you know that there is a song that captures your thought - the dash between the dates. It's ones' life. So poetic. Glad to have shared several years w/Irene. I see Elena's post just now, the first one on the site, and I want to repeat the same. It still hurts to realize I can't talk to her and more. And I feel so outraged that such a beautiful person was taken from us when so many awful others remain. Leaving this post w/love, especially to family.

Had a moment to pause and remembered how short life is. It is the dash between the time born to the time of meeting our maker that is actually quite short compared to the eternity in heaven. Glad to have met Irene and how her purpose on this earth still leaves a legacy of God's grace in our lives.

I so appreciate Jouel's very beautiful tribute for the anniversary of Irene's death. I hope the family does not feel that the treasured memory of Irene's life is being forgotten by so few responses on the anniversary of her death. Speaking for myself, I would prefer to celebrate her birthday and will be continuing to celebrate her unforgettable life then. Miss her all the time.

Living is not just breathing, but having moments that take your breath away. Irene laughed with so many friends......

Missing celebrating Irene's birthday with her, and so many other things.

Every time we think of visiting the city, we cannot help but miss Irene acutely. It was her hometown, and it is definitely not the same without her.

I miss talking to Irene in so many ways. She was so much fun, and sweet and artistic, and sharp about so much of life. i respected and enjoyed her point of view about so many things in life & in our shared profession of architecture. She was my dance performance & art gallery & film & (discount) shopping buddy & had so much to say that I valued.

Have been remembering Irene all week since her birthday was 5 days after mine. Most years we got together with friends we had known from work who had grown into deeper friends for us both, especially Tim and Scott & celebrated our birthdays together. So missing those times now. We typically relied on Irene, the foodie to recommend a restaurant to try, & we always had a briliiant time!

Sweet Irene - I will be thinking of you all day tomorrow on your birthday. Your legacy of perseverance and wisdom carries me still.

Dear Irene, I will always remember your beautiful smile, your kind heart and the memories we created together. Celebrating winter solstice, keeping an eye on my rambunctious 2-year old on the beach, talking about your travels, laughing and taping down the dress that wasn't holding it together...and so many more...You are truly missed.

Wow, a year gone by! I'm so glad we get to honor and celebrate YOU today! You are missed and know that your memory lives on and on and on....xx

Always difficult to see a love one go but also rejoicing when they go to heaven! May we all live for God's purpose and pleasure. Irene brought God's joy and the impact continues today.........

As well as remembering our shared birthday month celebrations, I recall and deeply miss talking w/you all the times we got together for dance performances, nearly weekly museum visits, and dinners afterwards, w/your foodie recommendations. Your lively mind was always a driving force in our choices (usually w/Tim) of what to do, see, eat, as well as commenting on the same!! Miss and love.

I just want to remember you, Irene, the last times I saw you in 12/11, first, at lunch near your work when you invited me to join you for an incredibly delicious Japanese box lunch that you recommended, when you were so bubbly & fun & forward-looking, planning for your career ahead. I will never forget that lunch. It was an unexpected addition to my visit w/you & I'll always be grateful.

Dearest Irene, we celebrated our close-on-the-calendar birthdays w/each other & 3 or 4 or 5 friends (& more who wanted to celebrate w/us!). I truly miss those times. We always looked to you to choose the restaurant, since you were the one in the know! Those of us remaining will never forget those times, or you, incredible one. So hard to realize you're not here to enrich us anew. Much love

I miss you so much! Remembering your beautiful spirit, smile, and the joy and laughter we shared.

I think of you often. I can still see your bright smile lighting up the greyest of days. I thought of you today as I was driving Paloma to school. I remembered our road trips through Portugal, and your lead foot flooring the pedal. How I miss you, my dear friend!

Each day I see something beautiful, and I wish I could share them with you. I miss you. I will always carry you in my heart.

I hadn't seen you in the years since I went to ICS, but I remember your sweet, gentle smile, and I was saddened to hear of your passing. My deepest condolences to your family, Irene, and I hope you have found peace.

I knew her from ICS school for a short time. I remember her being sweet, kind in nature , quiet and just a real good person. what a loss of a good person. I wish her family my condolences.

irene you are wounderful person generous positive we all love you cousin and you will always have me

Irene, it feels like we grew up together - since we both started at Gwathmey Siegel at the beginning of our careers. We were a duo, working on the same projects together for many years. I treasure our conversations sharing a taxi home from working late. We had such fun going places in NYC! I always appreciated your dance performances. I picture you dancing now someplace wonderful.

There is no pre-fab template for a friendship, no blueprint for how someone you see at parties becomes a friend. Irene, your generous sincerity in every conversation, your graceful encouragement and your ready smile was what built our friendship. It was a very special house filled with dancing and laughter and hope for better days to come.

Irene, too much time has passed between our days together in high school, college and beyond. The distance was great between Seattle and New York. I regret that I have not remained closer over the years, but all the memories of the glorious times we shared will remain with me forever.

Irene, I am blessed to have known you as my friend. Marianne and I counted on us all being neighbors and friends for a long time and hoped for many more East River runs, strolls through the Farmer's Market, and backyard cookouts ... more time. Our hearts are heavy with your loss, but memories of your keen intellect, easy smile, unwavering friendship and kindness will always be with us.

This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it" (John 11:4). I know Irene's life was reflection of God's smile. She always had a smile that was a reflection of God's character. I pray that others draw closer to God because of her life.

Dear Irene, these past few fridays i have been hoping against hope you will show up for yoga, and perhaps we will do dinner after. Every Friday we will wait and start the class 5 minutes late in silence, in your honor. Oh my friend you have left such a void.Thank You for your unwavering love and support last year....you are a friend who touched hearts. You certainly touched mine.Bon Voyage

Your life was too short. I miss your laughter, your smile, your sleeplessness, your this-is-that, your always having room for dessert no matter how stuffed you are, and so much more.. Cancer cannot take your loveliness away from me. You will always be in my heart.

Dearest Irene...a wonderful gal with a beautiful spirit! I will always have such fond memories of you! I hope that celebrating your life with family and friends this weekend will help to ease the pain in our hearts. Shine on :)

Dear Irene, I cannot remember a single time being in your presence that did not involve joy and laughter...you were the best karaoke partner for belting out '80s hits! The reality that there will be no more circles around the sun to celebrate with you is heartbreaking. Thank you for all the good times and positive energy you radiated – they will live in my heart forever.

One word springs to mind when reflecting on how you lived, and left - Grace. Irene, your smile lit up every room you entered. I loved our inevitable coming together at gatherings to talk about trips, books, films, anything, easily. Even though it was for a relatively short time, I am truly blessed to have known you. I miss you already.

My sweet Irene, you were the most generous, good-natured, positive friend. I was looking forward to us running together into the golden years, you were the perfect running partner, always waiting at the finish with a high five and a "great run!" Thank you for always letting me take the inside route. I will always have you with me.