SOUTHWICK – The family of Irene Wolfe (1929-2023) is saddened by her sudden passing on January 16th at the age of 93 years. A nearly lifelong resident of Southwick, Irene was the first of four children born in Bridgeport, CT to the late Adolph and Sophie (Danek) Jurewicz. She was educated in Bridgeport and received her comptometer certification, an accomplishment she was very proud of. Irene was working for General Electric when she met the love of her life, Charles Wolfe, and upon marriage embraced life in the country.
Irene was a stay-at-home mother until her two youngest started school, at which time she began active employment in Southwick as a bookkeeper at King’s Community Drug Store. Following this, she worked in the Town of Southwick’s accountant office and in the Southwick Public Schools’ superintendent office. Irene was a prolific reader; an avid puzzler enjoying jigsaw puzzles and always had a crossword and a variety of puzzle books on her nightstand. She relished playing cards and was a competitive scrabble player. She loved being at the ocean, enjoying the sunshine and the sound of the waves. Irene was dedicated to volunteer work and enriching the lives of those around her. This included volunteering at the Southwick Public Library and the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home where Charles was a resident the last years of his life, continuing her service there well after his passing. Irene received the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2015 for her more than 5,700 cumulative hours of volunteer service to the Solders’ Home.
Irene’s greatest joy was being with her family and creating cherished memories. It is impossible to measure a life in anything as tangible as numbers although Irene’s are quite amazing; 93 years of a well-lived life; 53 years married to her beloved; mother to 5 children; grandmother (Grammy) to 16, and great-grandmother (Gammy) to 7. Irene was predeceased by her husband Charles, brothers Frederick and Frank Jurewicz and two grandchildren. She is survived by: her children, Charlene Wolfe-Stepro and her husband Dennis of Manchester, NH, Patricia Wolfe-Gundersen and her husband Robert of Sandwich, MA, Charles W. Wolfe and his wife Diane of Southwick, MA, Lawrence Wolfe and his wife Sandra of Fairbanks, AK, & Leonard Wolfe and his wife Lynne of Chester, MA; her cherished grands: grandchildren, Jonathan, Erin, Nicholas, Katelyn, Alexandra, Charles, Adam, Hunter, Nathan, Rebecca, Erika, Austin, Travis, Curtis, Laura, Ethan, and her great-grandchildren; Lucas, Rosalie, Madeline, Bowen, Kyla, Shyanne and Erwin; her sister Lucy Nunno of Shelton, CT and many nieces and nephews.
Irene cared deeply for all those around her. Her family cherished her birthday and Christmas cards, which always included a heartfelt sentiment in her signature cursive hand. She held memories of her children close to her heart and at family gatherings would always regale those around with comical tales of their antics.
She had a smile that radiated warmth, one that couldn’t help but inspire an answering smile in turn. She recently celebrated her 93rd birthday with her family singing her the traditional Polish “sto lat” song. She will be greatly missed by her family who adored her with all of their hearts and will treasure her legacy of love forever.
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, January 26th, at the Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home, 624 College Highway, Southwick, MA. Visiting hours are from 10:30am to 12:30pm and a memorial service will be directly following at 12:30. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Southwick Public Library, 95 Feeding Hills Rd., Southwick, MA 01077.
