Irene Nellie Hudson

1910 - 2014

Irene Nellie (Smith) Hudson
Dec. 2, 1910-Jan. 22, 2014
Resident of San Mateo
Irene Hudson was born 103 years ago, the only child of Ross and Agnes Smith of North English, Iowa. Valedictorian of North English High School in 1927, violinist, member of Glee Club, Girls Track and Basketball Teams. Winner of the Iowa State Public Speaking contest in both 1925 and 1926, Irene went on to graduate from Iowa State Teachers College in 1929 with an Elementary Teachers Certificate. She taught rural school near Sumner Iowa to 26 German-speaking students for one year and continued her career as an elementary school teacher in North English and later in Clarinda, Iowa.
Irene married Leslie Allen Hudson on November 3, 1937, leaving her teaching position to accompany him to his assignment as pastor of the Christian Church in Falls City Nebraska. There she served as choir director, Sunday School Teacher and youth sponsor. The Hudsons served the Shenandoah Christian Church in Iowa from 1941-1945 where Irene also worked as a substitute teacher.
Between 1945 and 1963 the Hudsons served Christian Churches in Woodland California, Reno Nevada, Antioch California and Minden Nebraska before settling in San Mateo in 1963 where they served the Christian Church until Les retired in 1971. Together they managed the Normandy Apartments while Irene worked as a sales clerk at Macy's and the Lighting Center. After Leslie's death in 1987, Irene continued as apartment manager until 1995. She was an active volunteer at the American Heart Association, the County Library, Sequoia Hospital and continued to volunteer at Samaritan House even past her 100th Birthday.
All who had the privilege to have known Irene have been inspired by her cheerful self-reliance, generosity, strength, determination and above all, her joyful celebration of life. She loved to knit and took great pleasure in caring for her plants and feeding and watching birds on the balcony of her apartment where she lived until the summer of 2013. Irene celebrated each year of life and prepared for its end with these verses she left for those who love and miss her:
I had a wonderful life, rather long
But in my heart Jesus put a song.
It was sent from heaven above
And I sang it with lots of love.
Love of home, work and times of play
'Twas exciting, what more can I say?
My steps had gotten quite a bit slow
But with my hand in His, I tried to go
through my life, come what may.
I tried to share with others every day.
Some days were good, some a little bit bad
But with His love, I tried to do it - and I'm glad
Please join friends and family for a celebration of the life of Irene Hudson at First Presbyterian Church of San Mateo on February 15, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. Donations to Samaritan House or to the First Presbyterian Church of San Mateo in lieu of flowers.