Sister Irene Alexander

ALEXANDER, Sister Irene, O.S.B., died on November 17, 2009. Born in Washington, D.C., on July 24, 1925, Sister Irene was raised in Northern Virginia. She became a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia in 1946. Having spent most of her life as an elementary school and religious education teacher in the Diocese of Richmond and Arlington, Sister Irene turned her attention to efforts for peace and justice in her later years and was very passionate about the issues. In the summer of 1974, she went as a missionary to the Philippines where she helped the Benedictine Sisters in Vigan, Ilocosa begin religious education programs. Sister Irene is survived by her sister, Betsy Buscher of Arlington; her brother, Walter Alexander of Reston, and their families; and the 34 members of her Benedictine community. All services will take place at Saint Benedict Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, Virginia. Viewing will begin at 6 p.m. on Monday, November 23 with a Vigil Service being held Monday evening at 7 p.m. The funeral will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 24 at 10:30 a.m. with burial in the Benedictine Sisters' cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for Pax Christi USA, 532 W. 8th Street, Erie, Pa 16502, 814-453-4955, an organization to which Sister Irene belonged for many years. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Baker-Post Funeral Home & Cremation Center, under the direction of Michael Post. Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.