Mom's Memorial August 2019

Skip to the pics  (Click   on the next screen to play music)

I'm sure everyone will remember where they were when they got the call that Mom had died. I was laying in bed at an Air BNB 30 miles south of Denali National Park in Alaska. We had all been chatting a lot the previous week or so of the discomfort that Mom was feeling. She had been in the hospital with difficulty swallowing, all part of her body starting to shut down. We (or maybe just me?) had been hoping for her to pass quickly and easily. And then the day came, and it was shocking.

Glenn and Jody quickly organized the Memorial. As it turns out, there weren't that many choices for venues and the church. So they booked what he could, roughly a month in advance, and hoped that everyone will would be able to make it. All did except Mike, who had some previous engagements.

The Memorial was a 2-day event:

• Friday, August 2: Internment at Holy Cross cemetery followed by dinner at Glenn and Jody's.
• Saturday: Mass at St. Dunstan's followed by lunch at Basque Cultural Center in South SF.

Many Thanks!

• Jody wrote the obituary AND the program (see below).
• Anthony made three beautiful collages (see below).
• Glenn gave the perfect Eulogy at the church. Check it out.

• Gary put together a video of 'Mom's life in 10 minutes'. Check it out.
• Mom paid for a great going away party.
• Maria took a TON of excellent pics. See SOME of the pics (Click   on the next screen to play music)
• Also, she took a great short video at the gravesite. Check it out.

Obituary

Irene C. Farrell

September 2, 1930 – June 12, 2019

Our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend passed peacefully in Millbrae. A proud native San Franciscan she was the eldest of four born to the late Rene and Ellen Boullet. Her family resided in the Excelsior district and she was a parishioner of Church of the Epiphany for over 75 years. 

Irene attended Epiphany Grammar school and graduated from Presentation High School Class of 1948. She made many friends in her working days at St Joseph's Hospital, Wells Fargo Bank, and Bay Data. She found joy in bragging she was the mother of ten children (reflected in her screen name: ifmomof10), rooting for the Giants (highlight was taking a picture with Barry Bonds at Spring Training), watching Wheel of Fortune, and playing bingo while a resident of Green Hills Retirement Home. As her health failed she took on the responsibility of calling bingo numbers for the other avid players. She cherished her monthly luncheons with her four Presentation High friends who she outlived and missed dearly. She was committed to her rosary prayer group and we were thankful she found comfort in her Catholic faith which guided her in her final days.

She is survived by her ten children, sons Michael (Sarah), Gary, Daniel, Glenn (Jody), Dennis (Mary), Craig (Suzanne), Richard (DeeDee), Anthony (Cheryl), Gus (Maria); daughter Sandra Lopez (Oscar); and her sister Ellen McCurdy. She was the proud grandmother of 23 and great- grandmother of 13. In addition to her parents, Irene now joins in eternal life her siblings Rene Boullet and Barbara Topper, and her granddaughter Nicole.

Our family wishes to thank the staff of Millbrae Skilled Nursing and Sutter Health Hospice for their support and compassion. A Celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, July 27th, 2019 at 10am at St. Dunstan Church, 1133 Broadway, Millbrae CA. Family requests no flowers. Donations can be made in her name to Archbishop Riordan High School.

Program

Collages