Irene L. GIBBONS

GIBBONS, Irene L. Of Falmouth, MA, formerly of Dedham, sadly left us on February 21, 2023, just three months shy of her 100th birthday. She was surrounded by her loving family that has been left in awe of her intelligence, strength, empathy, and courage.

Irene was born in Worcester, MA, the daughter of Irene G. (Flynn) and Edgar Bennett. She attended Ascension High School in Worcester and was the valedictorian of her graduating class, later moving on to work for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. She met and married the love of her life, James J. Gibbons with whom she shared 65 years of marriage until his death in 2012. Together, they raised eight children in Dedham before retiring to East Dennis on Cape Cod.

Irene is survived by her children, James J. and his wife, Cissy of South Carolina, Nancy Hurley of Boston, Larry and his wife, Ellen of Florida, Suellen White and her husband, Thomas of Colorado, John and his wife, Lou Rodriguez of Dedham, Therese G. Marshall and her husband, Edward of Falmouth, Michael and his wife, Susan of Connecticut, and Beth Gibbons Mazzocca and her husband, Rich of Walpole. She was the much beloved "Nana" to each of her 18 grandchildren, Brian, Matthew, and Mike Gibbons, Shannon Hurley Murphy and Doug Hurley, Lauren, Erin, and Katherine Gibbons, Elizabeth and Natalie White, Alexandra, Mackenzie, and Annie Marshall, Michaela and Aliya Gibbons, and Kelsey, Jake, and Mike Mazzocca, and took great joy in introducing each one to the wonders of exploring Bay View and Cold Storage beaches and Scargo Lake. Irene is also survived by five great-grandchildren and many nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her daughter-in-law, Denise Gibbons; and her son-in-law, Paul D. Hurley; her sisters, June Sutton, Marian Collins, Barbara Eldredge, and Gloria Vitaris; and brothers Larry, Edgar, and William Bennett, all originally of Worcester, MA.

Irene devoted her life to raising her children and providing a warm, welcoming home to family and friends. She was an active parish member at St. Mary's in Dedham and subsequently at Our Lady of the Cape in Brewster, participating in women's groups and volunteering in fundraising activities.

Irene's family is very grateful for the loving care and companionship of her caregiver of eight years, Linda M. Driscoll, as well as the compassionate and loving caregivers at Atria Woodbriar Park in Falmouth.

Visiting Hours will begin Monday, February 27, at 9:30am in the Chapman Funerals & Cremations, 475 Main Street, FALMOUTH.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am in St. Patrick's Church, Falmouth.

Burial will take place in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 1:45pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to a foundation that researches treatments and cures for Multiple Myeloma, Alzheimer's Disease, Pancreatic Cancer, or Neurofibromatosis.