Irene Agnes Catalone

1943 - 2022

The family of Irene Catalone is sad to report her passing on July 9, 2022, at her Fairbanks home from pulmonary fibrosis. She was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Nov. 1, 1943. Her father was Nick E. Demientieff from Holy Cross, Alaska, and her mother was Nellie M. Bressler Demientieff from Anvik, Alaska. She was raised in a strong and loving family with seven girls and three boys. The family moved to Fairbanks from Holy Cross in the 1940s and built a big log house on the banks of the Chena River. Irene had a busy and exciting life traveling on the rivers as she worked alongside her brothers and sisters on the family owned riverboat freighting business. She grew up learning about respect, hard work and resilience from her Dena' Athabascan culture. She attended grade school in Fairbanks and graduated from Copper Valley School near Glennallen, Alaska. She continued her education in Chicago and earned a degree as an x-ray technician.

She married Chris Catalone in 1968, and they had one son, Christopher Thomas Catalone, in 1969 (deceased). She was a very devoted mother and always put her son first in all she did. She also shared her love and support with all her nieces and nephews and was held in high esteem by her large extended family, co-workers and friends. Irene had a strong sisterhood with many life-long friends that she cherished. She was especially close to her six sisters and classmates from Copper Valley School, which included Patty, Dinah and Laura. She will be remembered as the person who was always there when you needed someone to listen and care.

She was also very generous and gave whatever she had to help a friend or relative and comment how she felt blessed to have enough to share with others. Irene was very intelligent and loved to read and learn. She had strong values, leadership skills, humor and faith. She brought her knowledge and work ethics to the many organizations that she served and worked for. Some of her work history included director of Fairbanks Native Association, Denakka, Community & Regional Affairs (SOA), and Interior Regional Housing Authority. She served as a board member for the Alaska Public Offices Commission, TCC, Deloycheet and the Copper Valley School Association. She once noted that, over the years, her work may have brought her to every village and community in Alaska.

Irene is survived by her brother, Samuel (Birdie) Demientieff, and sister, Shirley (Sugar) Mercurlief. She is preceded in death by her parents, Nick and Nellie Demientieff; brothers, Floyd and Nicholas Jr. (Bing) Demientieff; and sisters, Eva MacArthur, Carolyn (Lolly) Kalkins, Joanne Holly, Teresa (Tiny) Devlin and Rita (Tootie) Bennis.

Irene was a soft-spoken person, but she made a big difference for the good in all she did and all the lives she touched with her grace and unconditional love. In keeping with her wishes, there will be a small Catholic memorial service at the Copper Valley School reunion on Aug. 6, and the family will gather to spread her ashes at a later date.