IRENE MORTENSEN Obituary

IRENE MORTENSEN April 3, 1925 - April 25, 2014 Irene Anna Rowland Mortensen, a long-time Stuart Yacht & Country Club resident and local artist known for her portraits and Florida seascapes died Friday. Irene was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey and later moved with her parents Anna and Thomas Rowland to New Rochelle, New York where she worked as an artist drawing the animated Mighty Mouse for Terry Toons. It was there in New York that she met and later married Ed Mortensen, a young captain in the Army Air Corps. They were wed in 1946 and had the first of their four children the following year. In 1950 the family moved to Larchmont in suburban Westchester where Ed worked for a publishing firm and Irene soon gained a reputation as an accomplished portrait artist. Her many commissions included pastels of such notables as the Archbishop of New York, bandleader Ray Ellis and - following her relocation to Chicago in 1961 - individual portraits of the NFL Chicago Bears. Irene, Ed and their four children lived in suburban Winnetka on Chicago's north shore until the couple retired, in 1972, to Marathon, Fla. There Irene concentrated on seascapes and Florida scenes while remaining active in portrait work. Irene and Ed relocated to Stuart in 1977 where the artist became an active member of the Martin County Art Associates, the National League of American Pen Women and the Woman's Club of Stuart. Irene is survived by her husband Ed, children Christopher, Kathleen, Maryann, Gary, brother Ralph Rowland of Cheshire Connecticut, eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Services at St. Joseph RC Church 10:00 am Wednesday, 4/30/14. Contact: www.allcounty.com

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Published by TC Palm from Apr. 29 to Apr. 30, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for IRENE MORTENSEN

6 Entries

Bette Bridges

June 8, 2014

Irene & I were "lunch buddies" for years - we first met in 1985 @ Somethin' Special Gifts, Ocean East Mall, Stuart,FL when she came into our Gift Shop to look and chat. She was like a second Mom to me and her bday was in Apr as was my Mom's. I last visited with Irene for a wk+ in Oct 2013; wonderful Christian heartfelt memories I will carry with me always. Miss you, Irene, soo much--you always wanted to meet my Mom; now you can as you both stroll hand in hand in Heaven. Someday we'll all be together again! See you later!!! I love you!!!

Joan Weatherbee

May 3, 2014

I will keep you in my heart dear friend and will miss you so much.

Dennis McArdle

May 1, 2014

The first time I met Irene was at our wedding. Her calm and gracious acceptance of the situation left a lasting impression on me. She arrived with Daze minutes before the event, walking into a room of unfamiliar men - I can only imagine the thoughts going through her mind, wondering now "Which one is Dennis?" After she assumed by brother John was the groom, I quickly introduced myself., mumbling something like "Thanks for coming." For one reason or another, there wasn't enough time to meet in a more conventional way. But over the many years that followed, we grew to be family. Through Irene's example, I learned that understanding, and loving your extended family are two of life's lessons that can't be easily taught. Unconditional faith in your loved ones helps provide acceptance. And most importantly, living with true joy in your heart makes your life sweet. From now on, when I hear Irene's name I'll see her: * Belting out Yankee Doodle Dandy while marching in place, banging a cast iron skillet. * Sitting outside on a warm Florida Keys afternoon under a wide floppy brimmed hat, painting a tropical landscape. * Singing along with Doris Day on the radio, while making a very strange breakfast like peanut butter pancakes. * Racing off to the grocery store to get the dinner on before Ed gets home . . . or * Sitting us down after dinner and getting us involved in some sort of craft to make and sell. Dear Irene, you touched us deeply with your style and grace. And you left us with much more love than we know what to do with. Love, Denny

Peggy McArdle

April 30, 2014

Always welcoming and kind to all, Irene will be forever remembered fondly. My thoughts and prayers for you on your new journey home. Aloha.

Mary Shaw

April 30, 2014

I always enjoyed being with Irene on events we did together when I was at the Arts Council. She contributed much more to the arts in this community than her own considerable talent.

Judy Sapusek

April 29, 2014

My sympathies go out to Irene's husband and children. I had the privilege of getting to know Irene Over the last few years...I will miss her greatly..she became a great friend and I learned a lot from her about unconditional love and servanthood, She always put others first and gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. I remember a conversation with her talking about her dad and how she wished she could have had one more day with him...while sad for us who are left behind she is healed and rejoicing with her daddy and her Savior daddy...I have the assurance that Irene is with Jesus because she had a personal relationship with her Creator...will miss you Irene

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