WORCESTER – Irene E. (Pothier) Iwanow, 88 years old, of Worcester, died peacefully on Thursday, July 7, 2022 with her family by her side in Mass. General Hospital, Boston. She was predeceased by her husband, Peter in 2018.
She is survived by her daughter, Catherine (Iwanow) Brashear and her husband Greg of Newmarket, NH; a son, John Iwanow and his wife, Stephanie, of Oxford; granddaughters, Emily and Danielle; grandsons, Robert and James Iwanow and Cody Chauvin, and a great-grandson, Bastion; brother, Gerard Pothier of Ashburnham; sisters, Pauline (Pothier) Guillemette of Leominster, Claire (Pothier) White and her husband Donald of Rutland, Jeannette (Pothier) Marcoux and her husband Joseph of Leominster and many nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her brothers, Marcel, Roger, Raymond, and Paul.
Irene was born in Leominster on June 22, 1934, daughter of Wilfred and Juliette Pothier. She attended St. Cecelia’s Grammar School and graduated from St. Bernard’s High in Fitchburg. She met her future husband of 57 years, Peter, at the White Eagles Polish Club in Worcester. Irene worked at Foster Grants and then as a key punch operator with St. Vincent’s Hospital in Worcester for over 25 years from which she retired in 1998. Irene was a devoted member of Sacred Heart - St. Catherine of Sweden Parish in Worcester.
She was a member of a local German club where she sang in the choir and Peter played the accordion. They spent many enjoyable years singing and dancing to their favorite music at the club and attending Oktoberfest in the Catskills. She adored her large family and loved spending time with her brothers, sisters, in-laws, and nephews and nieces whenever she could, and if she could not see them in person, she would call to catch up on the latest family happenings and to make sure all was well.
Everyone who knew Irene, loved her. Her family and friends were her world. She was selfless and was always concerned about others, especially her children and grandchildren. She was always ready to help in any way, whether it was just listening if someone needed to talk, driving neighbors to church, visiting her family and friends in the hospital, or praying for them nightly.
Her devout faith to our Lord Jesus Christ and our Holy Mother strengthened her in times of need, and we know she is resting in eternal peace with her husband Peter. She was a wonderful mother who will always be greatly loved and dearly missed by all.
A Funeral will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2022 from DIRSA-MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 298 Grafton Street, Worcester with a Funeral Mass at 10:30am in Sacred Heart – St. Catherine of Sweden Parish, 600 Cambridge Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in St. Cecilia Cemetery, Leominster. Calling hours will be held on Friday, July 15 from 5:00 to 7:00pm in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities of Worcester County, 10 Hammond Street, Worcester, MA 01610.