Ben Irene McDonough

Ben Irene McDonough Frederick, February 1, 1939 to January 23, 2026.

We celebrate the life of Ben Irene and the rich legacy she leaves behind. After a varied career ranging from

administrative assistant to copywriter for a radio station, she moved up the ladder in the Texas Department of Public

Safety in Austin, where she retired as a legal secretary in 2006. Many will know her from First Baptist Church in

Orange, where she raised her family, taught Sunday School, and sponsored youth trips. She served as a Girl Scout

troop leader and area-wide cookie chairman, leading to a living room stacked floor to ceiling with Girl Scout cookies.

She was a long-time and active member of the sorority Beta Sigma Phi. Ben Irene was a part of the Stark High

Bengal Debs and Bengal Guards. She was a highly sought-after actress in the Orange Community Players, Sam

Bass Theater in Round Rock, and Wylie Acting Guild. She performed in over 75 productions and served on the

boards of directors for OCP and Sam Bass for many years.

She was known for her sense of humor and quick wit. She loved animals and children and was able to laugh through

the hard times that life threw at her. Widowed at age 24, she dedicated herself to raising her family and making sure

her children were as dedicated to loving God as she was. It is apparent through her life that she was blessed and

highly favored. Even tragic events had a silver lining, and every hardship brought blessings that were gifts from God.

Ben Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Ercell Frederick, and her parents, Ben and Alberta McDonough.

She is survived by her brothers, Bert McDonough and wife Veronica, and Drew McDonough and wife Chris; her

children, Marie-Louise Ferguson and her partner Guy Schwartz, Larry and Jessica Frederick with daughters Amanda

and Rachel Frederick, Priscilla and Tiffany Valenzuela, Lisa Frederick Clayton and husband Michael , Lori Lindner

and husband Bob with sons Walker and Ryan Pickering, Tim Trapp, and Rob and Greg Lindner, and Lance and

Nancy Frederick with sons Colby and Casey Frederick. She also leaves eleven great-grandchildren and three great-

great-grandchildren who were greatly loved by their beloved Grammy.

A celebration of Ben Irene's life will be held at a future date to be determined.