Sr. Irene C. Sandfry

Irene C. Sandfry, formally known as Sister M. Joachim and Sister Irene, 92, passed peacefully on December 7, 2014. Irene was born November 24, 1922 in Niles, OH to James and Elizabeth (nee Jeswald) Sandfry. Irene is survived by her brother, Robert (Nancy) Sandfry of Avon Lake, OH, Nieces; Anne Marie Ruddy, Vero Beach FL, Elizabeth Chandelle Dutro, Westminster, CA, Pamela Garcia, Lakewood, CA, Bonita Gonzales, North Tustin, CA, Corine Sandfry, Carson, CA, Karen Leonard, Avon Lake, OH, Debra Hrnchar, Wellington, OH, Lisa Shawver, Cincinnati, OH, Susan Mealey, Avon Lake, OH, and Nephews; James Sandfry, Columbia, MO, Dominic DiCola, Warren, OH and Robert Sandfry, Jr. Avon Lake, OH; 32 Great Nieces and Great Nephews and several Great Great Nieces and Nephews. Irene is preceded in death by her parents James and Elizabeth Sandfry, brothers; Ralph, James, William, sister Mary DiCola and nieces Carol Sandfry Seifer and Elizabeth Sandfry Venetta. Irene graduated from Niles McKinley High School, Niles, OH in 1940. She entered Humility of Mary convent, Villa Maria, PA in 1943. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1950 from St. John College, and a Masters Degree in teaching from John Carroll University in 1974. Irene taught school in the Cleveland Diocese and in the Youngstown Diocese. She was also a Principal at St. John in Canton, St. Aloysius and Ascension school in Los Angeles, CA. Irene had the distinguished honor to be one of 35 delegates in the U.S. chosen to attend a workshop for the disadvantaged in Chico, CA. While in CA, she conducted social justice workshops and was the recipient for the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Peace and Justice. Irene was the co-author of the D.C. Heath Math second grade text. In 1991, after 48 years as a nun, she asked and received a papal dispensation. Irene moved to Avon Lake and was a volunteer sacristan at St. Joseph Church in Avon Lake. Friends will be received at Saint Joseph Church, 32929 Lake Rd., Avon Lake, OH from 4-7pm on Wednesday, December 10th and Thursday at 9 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am. Burial will be at Resthaven Memory Gardens, 3700 Center Road, Avon, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph Church pipe organ fund in her memory. Arrangements are by the Busch Funeral Home, Avon Lake 440-933-3202 www.buschcares.com