Monday, December 1, 2003
Irene Manfre, was affectionately know as ?I? by her husband Lou, but ?I? was not in her vocabulary. She never asked for anything, never wanted anything, but gave everything. She was the most loving and caring person ever. Her family was the most important thing to her and she would do all that she could to make sure they were happy. She was everyone?s caretaker, even people that she had met for the first time. Those that knew her will remember her as the typical Italian Mom, laced with tradition, and always ready to cook a meal and make sure everyone has enough to eat. The holidays were her special time of year starting with the traditional bean soup on New Year?s Day. Easter brought the family together for breakfast and the annual Easter egg hunt to see who would find the silver egg and of course the booby prize. Everyone got a prize and then on with the paddleball contest. In the summer she loved the seashore wading in the ocean just to get her feet wet. What a sight to see, her with the grandchildren playing in the sand. Halloween may have been her favorite time as she gave out her special goody bags and everyone wondering what bizarre outfit she would be dressed in. Thanksgiving was a very special family time for her. She carried on the tradition of her family when her Father sat at the head of the table and the rest of the family followed his lead. The little meatball soup was her specialty. And then there was Christmas. Presents everywhere for everybody piled high on the pool table.
The tables turned for Irene as she suffered some tragic losses during her life. She lost her father. She took her mother in when her sister became ill and when her sister passed away her mother passed the night of the viewing. Then she lost her son-in-law, Steve Elias, who was a very special person and a devastating loss for our immediate family. But the most devastating of all was the loss of her daughter Roseanne. Roseanne suffered through a serious illness and this took an extreme toll on Irene. When Ro passed she took over the care for her three boys. Fate was not kind as she became ill herself and could not continue caring for them. This was more devastating to her then being sick.
During Irene?s years of illness she constantly fought to get better, not for herself, but for all of those who cared about her. Her love touched many people along the way. She was labeled a sweetie pie in the hospital. She loved listening to her music, especially the Italian songs. She never wanted to be a bother. They loved her.
Irene leaves us with a message for the modern day world. Take time to do the things that are important in someone else?s life. Be kind, considerate, forgiving and loving in all that you do. Most importantly, now that ?I? has been taken from us, we should strive to take the ?I? out of our vocabulary.
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