Irene Lucille Emery

1922 - 2011

In Loving Memory of Irene Lucille Emery who went home to the Lord on March 22, 2011. She was born on October 12, 1922, in South Dakota . She lived most of her life in Porterville, California, having moved there as a young girl. She graduated from Porterville High School in 1940, attended Porterville Junior College, and worked at F.W. Woolworth Co. In 1943, she married Jack Emery and together they raised two children, John and Janice. After raising her family, she worked as a school secretary at L.B. Hill, retiring in 1987. She loved to entertain, sew, work in her garden and research family genealogy. She was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church in Porterville. In her later years, she remained active by playing bridge, bingo, completing crossword puzzles, participating as a member of Inter Se and most recently won a gold medal in the Senior Olympics held at Rosewood Senior Living in Bakersfield, CA. Being "Nana Irene" to her great grandchildren always brought a smile to her face.

She is preceded in death by her husband Jack Emery, son John Emery, daughter Janice Probasco and grandson Hunter Emery. She is survived by her granddaughters Denise Flowers and husband Kevin of Bakersfield; Christine Felder and husband Reginald of Fresno; grandson Bill Emery of Ventura; great grandchildren Andrew and Nicholas Flowers; Mya, Taja, Kado and Dalen Felder; and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held on April 2, 2011, at 11:00am at First United Methodist Church in Porterville, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to First United Methodist Church, 344 Morton Avenue, Porterville, CA 93257.