Mary "Irene" Hachey

Mary "Irene" Hachey, a faithful servant of the Lord, entered into eternal rest on September 30, 2024, at the age of 94. She passed away peacefully at the WellBridge of Romeo after a period of illness.
Born on December 2, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan to her devoted parents, Leopold and Leonila (nee Frenette) Hachey, Irene grew up in a deeply rooted Catholic faith. As a young girl, Irene discovered her love for cooking from a nun who worked as a cook at a nearby convent in her neighborhood. Spending time with this nun, she learned the skills that would later shape her vocation and life's work. Irene graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit in 1948.
After high school, she answered God's call, entering religious life as a young woman and joining the Carmelite Order of the Sacred Heart. For 25 years, Irene served her Lord and the Church as Sister Frances Marie, living out a life of prayer, humility, and service. Her culinary talents flourished as she cooked for the sisters. During her time in the convent, Irene also experienced a heartwarming chapter when a maintenance worker brought her a tiny baby sparrow, which had fallen from its nest around Eastertime. She lovingly cared for the bird, whom she named Bobby, feeding him with an eyedropper and nurturing him until he grew strong enough to fly. Irene often reminisced about this miraculous experience, quoting the Gospel of Luke 12:6-7: " Not one of them [sparrow] is forgotten before God. You are of more value than many sparrows."
Following her years of religious life, Irene continued her career for another 25 years as a chef at St. Joe's East in Mount Clemens. Her dedication to serving others, whether through religious life or her professional work, was a constant reflection of her deep faith.
Irene's heart was always open to new ways of serving and loving others. After her time at the hospital, she managed apartment buildings, where she extended her warmth and hospitality to the many residents she encountered.
A faithful parishioner of St. Kieran Catholic Church, Irene's love for the Lord was at the core of her being. She had a great eye for detail, was precise, and very organized. She played a vital role in organizing weekly Communion services at St. Kieran and coordinated the breakfasts that followed. Irene also sang with joy in the Resurrection Choir and was a dedicated member of the Community of God's Love Prayer Group, where she shared her prayerful heart with others.
In her later years, Irene found delight in simple joys, from line dancing at the Senior Center in Shelby Township to cultivating her garden, decorating her home for every season, and traveling to new places.
Though Irene's earthly journey has come to an end, her soul is now united with her Creator. She is reunited in heaven with her beloved parents, Leopold and Leonila Hachey; her brother, Francis A. Hachey; and her best friend, Sister Loretta Sullivan. She is survived by her faithful friends and her adoptive family, Margaret Atkinson and Mary Latcha.
May the angels lead her into paradise, where she will behold the face of God and rejoice in His presence forever.
Irene's adoptive family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Heart to Heart Hospice and the staff on Unit 500 of the WellBridge of Romeo for their compassionate care.
Visitation for Irene will be held from 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM, with a rosary service at 3:00 PM and a scripture service at 5:30 PM, on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Gramer Funeral Home, Diener Chapel, 48271 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Twp., MI 48317; (586) 731-4150. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, in-state at 9:30 AM, Friday, October 11, 2024 at St. Kieran Catholic Church 53600 Mound Rd., Shelby Twp., MI 48316; (586) 781-4901.
In lieu of flowers, Irene would have appreciated donations to either the:
Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus, 108 Harrison St., Toronto, ON, Canada
or
St. Kieran Church, 53600 Mound Rd., Shelby Twp., MI 48316 for Christian service ministry.