Irene Sommer Bridges

Irene Sommer Bridges, 87, passed away April 25,2024 in Bluffton, SC, surrounded by her family. Born March 23,1937 in Cottonwood, Idaho a daughter to the late Caspar and Monica Sommer, she was one of nine children. She received her Nursing degree in 1958 from St. Alphonsus in Boise, ID. Commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy Nurse Corps in 1959, she advanced to Lieutenant Commander before being honorably discharged in 1970.
Irene was a loving, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, she loved to be surrounded by her family and friends. She enjoyed gardening, artistic painting, traveling & golf.
She is survived by her children Kerry Irick (Tom) of Indianapolis, IN, Byron Bridges (Mary) of Asheville, NC, Nancy Bridges of Morganton, NC, Laurie Jones (Jeff) of Bluffton, SC, and Bobby Bridges (Kimberly) of Newport, NC; grandchildren Colton, Lexsie, John, Cole, Ben, and Sarah; great grandchildren Landon, Hava, and Caidon; and siblings Chris Klotz of Portland, OR, Leo Sommer of Nampa, ID, Rita Elliott of New Bern, NC, and Dorothy Giffen of Chandler, AZ.
She was preceded in death by her husband Robert "Bob" Bridges, Jr., who she was married to for 46 years until his passing in 2014, and by her daughter Rachel Bridges who passed in 1994.
A Memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 7,2024, at 5:30pm at the New Bluffton Worship church in Bluffton, SC.
A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, June 3,2024, at 11:00am at St. Mildred Catholic Church in Swansboro, NC. Interment will follow at Seaside Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.