Irene Davenport Fairclough

Irene Davenport Fairclough, loving mother and grandmother, avid gardener, artist, and active in national and local democratic politics, passed away on October 12. She was 94.

Born in New York City, Irene grew up in East New York, Brooklyn in the days when street vendors called out their wares and an organ grinder traveled the streets with a monkey on his shoulder. Irene attended the Girl's Commercial High School in Brooklyn, now Prospect Heights High School, where she was at the top of her class and a member of the Arista National Honor Society.

Immediately after graduating from high school, Irene began her career as a textile designer at a prominent textile design house in New York City. Irene attended the Fashion Institute of Technology where she was in the first graduating class. She was a forerunner of her time in the1950s, one of few women textile designers in New York City.

Irene married her late husband, James (Jim) Fairclough, in 1950 and put her flourishing textile career to the side in order to raise six children. They were married for 51 years. Irene touched the lives of all who met her with her keen intelligence, love of literature and classical music, humor, warmth, and friendly nature. But most of all she loved her children and grandchildren. Just a few weeks before her death, Irene put it this way: "I loved being a mother and devoting myself to my children; to keep the kids loved and safe and teach them to be creative and imaginative. I taught them to love each other and to be kind. That is the hardest goal. I know I enjoyed being a mother more than anything."

Irene and Jim settled in Ossining, NY, later moving to Briarcliff Manor, NY, and in 1976 settled in Westport, CT. Irene and Jim lived in Westport for 35 years before Jim's death in 2001. While living in Westport, Irene was active with the Saugatuck Congregational Church, the Westport Women's Club and the PEO Sisterhood (and remained an active PEO member in the Concord, New Hampshire chapter).

Irene went back to school at the age of 50 to complete her bachelor's degree at Southern Connecticut State University, majoring in early childhood education and women's studies. She spent the next decade teaching preschool in Westport and Easton, Connecticut.

Irene moved to Concord, New Hampshire in 2012 and quickly became a staple in the political community by volunteering at phone banks, canvassing homes for major elections, attending political rallies and volunteering at many local organizations.

Irene is survived by six children: Gail Alison Fairclough of Wyoming, MN; Judith Ann

Fairclough of Concord, NH; Robyn Whitney Fairclough of Concord, NH; Douglas James

Fairclough of San Rafael, CA; Andrew Scott Fairclough of Monroe CT; and Julia Gretchen

Fairclough of Roslindale, MA.; and seven grandchildren, Lio, Christopher, Rebecca, Oliveah, Hudson, Delilah, and Lulu.

Calling hours will be held at a later time in Concord, NH with a burial service in Westport, CT.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the World Wildlife Fund (1250 24th Street NW, Washington DC 20037) or the Arnold Arboretum (PO Box 419209, Boston MA 02241-9209

The Bennett Funeral Home 209 N. Main St. Concord, NH 03301 is assisting the family with arrangements.