Irene Dora Bishop

Irene Dora Bishop, 87, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away Sunday July 20th, 2025, surrounded by family.

Irene was born on her grandparents' farm in Elizabethtown PA. She was the eldest of 5 children, and 17 when her youngest sister was born.

Irene believed in divine intervention, and was led to her husband, Dorsey "Ed" Edward Bishop, of 62 years in high school. They married in 1958 and moved to Chicago where, as a small-town girl, Irene got to explore a big city. Irene worked as a telephone operator in downtown Chicago in the loop and would take the "L" to work.

Irene and Ed moved across the country and found a home in Albuquerque, NM where they had four children. Irene braved being a young mother of four with poise and grace. Once all her children were in school, she went to work as an educational assistant at A. Montoya Elementary and Zuni Elementary until she retired.

Irene was a sweet, loving soul. To know her was to know kindness, gentleness and generosity. She loved God, her late husband, Ed, spending time with her family, friends and kitty, Nova, as well as gardening, and reading.

Irene is preceded in death by her husband Dorsey Edward Bishop and her parents, Leon and Ethal Freeman. She is survived by her four children: Daniel Bishop and his wife, Rebecca of CA, Julia Bishop of AZ, Jennifer Bishop of NM, David Bishop and his wife, Amy of NM; her siblings, Robert Freeman, Dorothy Claar, Gerald Freeman and Karen Everhart all of PA; along with 7 grandchildren, Mark Bishop, Erich Bishop, Cameron Bishop, Frank Miera, Dané Chang, Sarah Sanchez and Darby Bishop; and 8 great grandchildren, Jessica, Ashton, Ryan, Khloe, Esmee', Evelyn, Emmitt (all Bishops) and Teo Sanchez.