Irene SUAREZ

SUAREZ, Irene, of Fort Worth, retired vice principal of Nolan Catholic High School, died Monday, November 12, 2012 surround ed by her beloved family. Service, Mass of Christian Burial, 11 a.m., Sat. at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Vigil, 6 p.m., Friday at Thompson's Harveson & Cole, with a visitation to follow. Memorials or gifts in Irene's memory may be given to UT Southwestern Medical Center, c/o Dr. J. Michael DiMaio, P.O. Box 91088, Dallas, Texas 75391-0888, to support cardiothoracic surgery. Irene Concepcion Lopez was born May 29, 1943 in Tampa, Fla. to Emilio and Guillermina Lopez. She was a 1961 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy in Tampa and earned a B.A. in English and Spanish from Florida State University in 1965, where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. At 16, she met her lifelong love, Kenneth Raymond Suarez, and they married on Jan. 2, 1965. Kenny was signed out of Florida State University by the Kansas City A's and he was part of the original Texas Rangers team in 1972, which brought the family to Arlington. Baseball and the Catholic Church were the center of this family's life. A consummate educator, Irene spent 35 years in Catholic churches and schools, first teaching at St. Maria Goretti, then to Nolan Catholic High School, where she was dean of discipline. She and Kenny were founders of Most Blessed Sacrament, where she served as D.R.E., and longtime members of the building committee and eucharistic ministers. Irene was devoted to her Nolan family and many dear friends. She so enjoyed time with her children and grandchildren, whether it was on the beach in Florida or watching her grandson play catcher just like Papa; she was happiest just being with them and Kenny, always. Survivors, husband of 47 years, Ken Suarez; daughters, Denise Suarez Tolle and Kendra Suarez; grandchildren, Marylynne Tolle and Griffin Tolle.