Irene Mae Schwartz

SCHWARTZ Irish eyes are smiling in heaven today to welcome Irene Mae (Lynch) Schwartz. Beloved daughter of Thomas and Bridget Cooper Lynch. Irene, who lived most of her adult life in the Lordship section of Stratford, was born in Bridgeport on June 29, 1913. Her sustained good looks and stylish fashion of dress, however, belied her chronology. She never failed to enjoy saying to folks: "You'll never guess how old I am!" A native of Bridgeport's lively East End, Irene was a proud graduate of Blessed Sacrament School and also Warren G. Harding High School. She later went on to further study at the Booth and Bayliss Business School. Her active business career was spent at the Southern New England Telephone Company where she worked as an operator and was later promoted to the sales department. In a life awash in blessings, it was at this point that she met and married the greatest of them all: her darling and wonderful husband, Rudolph Schwartz also of Bridgeport who predeceased her 24 years ago, almost to the day. Further blessings to them and their marriage were their daughters, Irene, who lives with her husband John Santa in Southport, and Lynn, who lives with her husband Jonathan Hall in Gilmanton, New Hampshire. Left to bask in the warm memory of her wit, style and charm are her five grandchildren: Lynn's sons Brett, Tyler and Joshua Durham all of New Hampshire and Irene's children, Kerstin Santa big Irene's beloved, favorite and only granddaughter of Bridgeport and Devin Santa and his wife Beth of Stratford. Her smallest survivor of them all is her great granddaughter, Alyssa Lyn, the incomparable shining light of Irene's last years. Irene is also survived by her brothers Thomas and Raymond Lynch, both of Stratford, as well as many nephews and nieces to whom she was and always will be the one and only Aunt Irene. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister Marion Zmijewski of Trumbull and her brothers John and William Lynch of Branford and Huntington respectively. Irene's sunny disposition and caring personality won her many friends throughout her life. Many of them she met as she volunteered for over 20 years at Bridgeport Hospital on the Patient Information Desk where she worked with her associate Jeff McKnight. Irene was a lifelong community volunteer serving on the Library Board, as an appraiser for the Probate Court and as loyal volunteer for many programs at Our Lady of Peace Church in Lordship. Additionally, she met and made many friends as she traveled and socialized with both her daughters and their families from Maine to Florida to Alaska as well as Black Rock and Pequot Yacht Clubs she really did like to party! We will then most appropriately celebrate her life this week. First, the family will welcome friends at the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home at 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center (Please use the Brick Walk or Patriot Plaza driveways) with calling hours from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. On Thursday, her nephew and Godson, the Reverend Thomas Lynch will be the principal celebrant at Irene's Mass of Resurrection at Our Lady of Peace Church, 651 Stratford Road, in Lordship at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow directly at Oak Lawn Cemetery right beside her beloved Rudy. Irene's family extends their warmest thoughts of appreciation to Dr. William G. Hulcher for his tireless and exquisite care of her during her times of medical need. And also their thanks to Sarah Wilemski and the staff of Carolton Convalescent Home for tender care of Irene during her final illness. Contributions in Irene's memory may be made to: The Bridgeport Hospital Foundation- Volunteer Services Fund, 267 Grant Street, BPT, CT 06610 or Dress for Success, 35 Brentwood Avenue, Fairfield, CT 06825. To sign an online register for Irene, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com.