Irene Hampton

Irene Hampton (Stroing), 99, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2025, in Stockton, California. She was one of the first babies born at Mercy Hospital in Sacramento to Ted and May Stroing (Peacock). Irene had one brother, Ed Stroing. She lived a full life, from sitting on the steps of the bank with her father at the start of the Great Depression, to moving to Stockton and witnessing a world transformed by modern technology. Always busy, she lived a life firmly rooted in her family, faith, and service to others.

She took great joy in her marriage to Art Hampton (passed 2008). Art was a Navy veteran, Irene's lifelong partner of 62 years, and owner of the neighborhood meat market. Irene and Art attended Stockton High School together, where she was a majorette for the band. They married in 1946, shortly after returning from the war. During World War II, Irene worked at the Navy Annex, where she tracked the ship movements of her future husband. Later, Art and Irene worked together at the market on Waterloo Road until their retirement. Up until her passing, Irene continued to wear her wedding ring and would still run into former customers who recalled going into the meat market as children and getting their free hot dog.

Irene was a beloved mother and is survived by her three children: Linda Housley, Bob Hampton (Lori Podesta), and Jack Hampton. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She showed her love and caring nature through thoughtful, handmade greeting cards for her family for every season and occasion. Her grandchildren still remember the special birthday parties Grandma created just for them. She cherished Christmases shared with the whole family and loved decorating her home for all the holidays.

Irene loved gardening and could never pass a garden shop without stopping in. Always busy, she enjoyed crafting, cake decorating, knitting, needlepoint, and ceramics-all of which supported her time as a schoolroom mom and scout leader. In her later years, she continued to care for others and was deeply grateful to be cared for by incredible caregivers and friends. She loved Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, baseball, and always cheering on the New York Yankees for her hometown hero, Aaron Judge.

She is deeply loved and honored for a full life of dedicated help, support, care, and love.

Funeral services were held at Cherokee Memorial in Lodi, California