Irene O’Neill

Irene O’Neill danced her last dance at the Bellingham Senior Center, flashed her sparkling blue eyes and joyous smile at the caregivers and family surrounding her, and slipped into a peaceful sleep, passing away on June 14. She was 93 years old. Irene lived her life with passion and a sense of adventure. She loved dancing, music, games and puzzles, travel, camping, hunting and fishing. But most of all, she loved her husband, John (Jack), and her family and friends.

Irene was born May 10, 1922, the youngest of 4 children, and grew up on Annapolis Hill, near Port Orchard, graduating from South Kitsap High School in 1939. While in high school, she met the love of her life, John (Jack) O’Neill at a Colby Grange Hall dance. They were married in 1943 and spent the early years of their marriage in California, Arizona and Montana, returning to Jack’s family home in Colby on his discharge from the Army Air Corps. It was on this homestead that she and Jack raised their four daughters. There, they grew an enormous garden, sharing its bounty with family, friends, neighbors, and the local food bank, preserving the harvest for delicious winter meals.

Irene lived a full life, squeezing every bit of joy out of every moment. In her younger years, Irene backpacked with friends in the Mt. Baker National Forest, camping at Lake Ann, and climbing Mt. Shuksan. With her family, summers were spent traveling throughout the Pacific Northwest, camping, hiking, fishing, and enjoying the beautiful landscape of this area. Her favorite place was Peacock Mountain and the hills around Conconully, where she and Jack spent every October, fishing, hunting, hiking and foraging for wild mushrooms.

Irene worked as a secretary at South Kitsap High School and was a Girl Scout leader, Campfire leader, and PTA volunteer. She was fortunate to spend many years in retirement, traveling the world and establishing a winter home in Apache Junction, Arizona. She and Jack were active in their Arizona retirement community, planning and leading dances, talent shows, picnics, and hiking trips in the Superstition Mountains.

In 2002, Irene and Jack moved to Bellingham to be near three of their daughters. They loved dancing at the Bellingham Senior Center, being near their youngest grandchildren, and embracing their new friends in the community. In 2007, Irene lost her beloved Jack, and a part of her died with him. She lived her last years at the Willows retirement community and Lakeside Gardens, surrounded by the kind and loving residents and caregivers of these communities.

Irene is survived by her four daughters and sons-in-law: Donna and David Butts of Silverdale, Deirdre O’Neill and Troy Ness of Bellingham, Mariann and Jim Strachan of Custer, and Kathleen and Pete Hallett of Bellingham. She is also survived by grandchildren David, Brian, Thane, Alex, Tarah, Dan, Robert, John and Mary, 8 great grandchildren, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Irene’s life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Whatcom Hospice, the Bellingham Senior Center, or the Alzheimer’s Association.