Obituary of Irene Ivas

Irene E. (McGahan) Ivas, devoted her life to family and faith. The beloved wife of the late John S. Ivas, she passed away at her home with her family by her side, on Wednesday evening December 10, 2014. She was 83 years old. Irene was born in Somerville, where she was raised and schooled. She was the daughter of the late John and Irene (Daley) McGahan. Irene married her teenage sweetheart on September 24, 1950 and they moved to Burlington in 1963. Irene was the consummate homemaker, there every day when her children returned from school. Once they completed school she went to work in the Distribution Center at Marshalls Warehouse in Woburn. True to form, Irene built 20 years of friendships there before retiring. Even in retirement, Irene was not one to be idle. She exercised weekly with the ladies at the Senior Center and continued building friendships as a member of the “Knit Whits”. Irene’s grandchildren and great grandchildren brought her much pride. She was blessed to see the birth of two more great grandchildren this year which brought her boundless happiness. Irene was also woman of profound faith and a parishioner at St. Margaret’s Church. Before her illness she attended Daily Mass whenever possible. Irene will be remembered a gentle, loving and giving woman who lived for her family and friends. Irene was the beloved wife of the late John S. Ivas. She was the loving mother of Elizabeth Coots & her husband Richard of Melrose, and of the late John S. Ivas, Jr. & his wife Trudy of Tewksbury. Sister of Margaret Galvin of Somerville, James Galvin and the late William Galvin, Evelyn Dwyer, John McGahan and Marian Kuczynski. Proud grandmother of Renee Petrocelli, Jeffrey Coots, Jennifer Delaney, John Ivas & Brian Hoadley. Great Grandmother of Joey, Luke, Emma, Paloma & Avery. A visitation will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 9-10:30 AM Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 11 a.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Irene’s name may be made to VNA Hospice Care, 100 Trade Center, Suite G-500, Woburn, MA 01801