Irene Dillashaw, 87, of Ledyard passed away peacefully on April 21, 2018 at the Groton Regency.
She was born July 26, 1930 in Norway, Maine, the daughter of the late Frank and Mary (Hunter) Hobbs. At a young age she worked in her Dad's candlepin bowling alley and later on in the local shoe shop. She then moved to Hartford for a few years and eventually moved to New London where she worked at Lou's Lunch for many years until she met and married Virgil Dillashaw.
Shortly after marrying, they moved to Gales Ferry where they would raise their family and become life-long residents. Irene thoroughly enjoyed her role as Mother and gave her children a wonderful and memorable childhood. Irene was a no-nonsense woman with a quick wit and the gift of gab, and she was always able to bring a smile or laugh into someone's day, even up until her final weeks.
Irene was a dedicated bingo player, spending the majority of her Wednesdays at the Ledyard Lions bingo for more than 4 decades. She enjoyed playing cards from a very young age and would always make the time for a night of cards with family or friends. She also was an avid cat lover, giving a loving and caring home to many sick and stray cats throughout her life.
She is survived by a daughter, Sharon Grisham of Chesapeake, VA, and her son Dennis Yates and his wife, Chris of Norway, ME and her son, Ronald Dillashaw, of Ledyard, CT, whom she resided with for the last 3 years of her life. In addition she is survived by her grandchildren, Jacqlyn Grisham, Tim Yates and his wife, Michelle, Stephen Yates and his wife, JOy, Marissa Qualich, Emily Jenniges and Trevor Dillashaw. She is also survived by 5 great grandchildren, Lucas, Alexa, Isaac, Evan and Kylie.
She was predeceased by her former husband, Virgil, her sister, Louise King and her brothers Bob and Fred Hobbs and just recently was predeceased by her youngest child, Wayne Dillashaw.
Her family will greet relatives and friends on Sunday, April 29, from 3 to 6pm at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, April 30, at 11:00am at the Ledyard Congregational Church, 722 Colonel Ledyard Highway, Ledyard. Burial in Avery-Stoddard Cemetery will be private for the family.
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