Obituary of Irene Willey

Irene Pato Willey, age 90, wife of the late Francis S. Willey Sr, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 26, 2019.

Born in Bridgeport on May 25, 1928, daughter to the late James Pato and Mary Pato Jambor, Irene was a lifelong Trumbull Town resident. She was raised and worked on the family farm on Daniels Farm Road until she married. Irene and her husband raised their children in Bridgeport and later moved back to the family home in Trumbull. Irene worked for many years at VCA ( Precision Packaging ) until her retirement. She was a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ in Bridgeport, serving on the Consistory, volunteering many hours at the Holiday Fairs, tag sales and baking throughout the years.

Irene was an avid gardener and had a green thumb like no other. She spent many hours each day outside gardening in her yard, knitting and enjoying the UCC Seniors Group and also the Young at Heart where she enjoyed the fellowship at the meetings and many bus trips. Irene loved traveling and visiting with family and friends.

She is survived and will be greatly missed, by daughter Sharyn Green and her husband Kenneth of Shelton, sons Lawrence Willey and his wife Laurie of Lyndon, VT and James Willey and his wife Barbara of Bear, DE, a daughter in law Jeanette Willey of Palm Bay, FL, sister in law Marie Pato and her eleven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, who were the joys of her life as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to Francis ( Frank ) her husband of 53 years, Irene was predeceased by her son, Francis ( Skip ) Willey Jr and six brothers and two sisters.

The family would like to extend a warm and sincere Thank You to the wonderful nurses and staff of Lord Chamberlain who cared for our mother and also the Connecticut Hospice ( Shelton ) for their compassionate care.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 2 at 11:30 am in the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Rd., Fairfield Center and at 12 noon at the United Church of Christ, corner of North and Laurel Avenues. Burial will follow in Mt. Grove Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 am until the time of services. To sign an online register, purchase flowers or to get travel directions, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com