Irene Masako Umphress

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Irene Umphress, long-time resident of Jurupa Valley, CA passed away in March 2026 at age 94. She was born at the rural Pepeekeo Plantation Hospital on the "Big Island" of Hawaii. She was the 6th of 7 children. Her parents were newlywed immigrants from a northern prefecture of Japan. Her father was employed as a supervisor in the local raw sugar mill. Her parents also did sharecropping for the plantation. At school age, all the children assisted in different stages of work in the fields.

Irene was blessed to have siblings, all of whom were academically and/or talent-wise gifted. She, like her siblings, attended Pepeekeo Elementary and Intermediate School. She graduated from Hilo High School- an 8 mile rough bus ride along the coastline. In school she excelled in English, history, and shorthand, and was an honor student.

Growing up, she enjoyed styling hair on herself, older sisters, and friends. Swimming was her favorite, self-taught sport. Ballroom dancing was another pastime in her teens. She also became interested in Christian teachings.

From her last year in high school to graduation from the University of Hawaii, she worked every summer at the Del Monte Pineapple Cannery. It enabled her to finance her college tuition. During her college years she also worked part-time at a pricey department store, and as a hostess for a popular Waikiki restaurant.

During her junior year at the university, she was voted into the state-wide, year-long Cherry Blossom Beauty Pageant for young, single adult women of Japanese heritage. As a finalist she gained opportunities to model clothing and jewelry, appear in the new technology of television, and attend civic functions. These opportunities helped her build self-confidence as well as establish many warm friendships.

In 1955, Irene graduated with a BS degree in Home Economics. During this time as an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she accepted

a "calling" to serve a 2 year full-time mission in Japan. There she gained a lasting love and respect for her heritage, the honest, hardworking people there, as well as a grasp of the language. There, she also had her first snow-skiing opportunity which became a favorite sport in adulthood.

After 2 years of spiritual growth, she returned to the University of Hawaii to complete a teaching degree in Elementary Education. During this period, she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Umphress at a Valentine's Day house party.

While finishing her student teaching in the spring of 1959, she was offered a job by a school from the Bay Area in CA. Conveniently, her future fiancé received a Master degree journalism scholarship to Stanford University at the same time. Then, 2 years later while Bob was a news reporter for the San Mateo Times, they wed. Two years later, Irene and Bob started their family and had two sons.

From her first teaching job in Hayward, CA Irene always referred to teaching school as a "calling"- very much influenced by her church doctrine. Her albums of teaching memories, her contact with former students, their parents, and choice teaching friendships attest to her devotion to teaching. Her computer working area held recognitions of her teaching excellence including The Inland Empire Council, The PTA, Teacher of the Year Award, and "Who's Who Among Teachers In America".

As a mother, she collected best recipes, and her signature dessert gifts were various macadamia nut delicacies. She is also remembered for her well-maintained home which reflected her Hawaii-born background, her Japanese heritage, and travels. Her favorite flowers were red, heart shaped anthuriums and orchids. While settled in Riverside, her husband or her sons always had special flower leis sent from Hawaii on her Valentine's Day/birthday and Mother's Day that reminded her that Hawaii will always be her first home.

Irene maintained a healthy lifestyle which was in accordance with her church beliefs. However, after her elaborate 50th wedding anniversary celebration, hosted by her two sons in Waikiki, followed by winning the local 5K walk/run 75 and over age group in her early 80s, she developed advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma. With expert loving care in her younger son's home, she was able to return to her home in Jurupa Valley within months.

Her life experiences had transformed her future as a very elderly woman with much to be grateful for. She claimed to have not just one best friend but a number of best friends near and far. She will be held in remembrance for her befriending people easily. Her devotion and love for her family, friends, church, and strangers were blessings she always recognized. She will be missed! She is survived by her two sons, their spouses, and multiple grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to The

Umphress/Schlosser Scholarship Fund (write in memo):

Colfax/Mingo High School

PO Box 116

Colfax, IA 50054