She was born Irene Henderson on September 16, 1919, in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England, the second of seven children. Irene was 19 years old when World War II began in England. In 1941, she was accepted into the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS, also known as the “Wrens”) and stationed at Donibristle Naval Air Station in Scotland, which operated as the H.M.S. Merlin. She served as a Mess Steward for two years, then was promoted to Leading Wren, in charge of the Mess Office, bookkeeping, and distribution of rations.
Irene met her future husband at a U.S.O. dance when an American serviceman asked her, “Would the Royal Navy care to dance with the U.S. Army?” After the war and a long-distance courtship, she crossed the Atlantic Ocean to marry her wartime sweetheart in Utica, New York on December 21, 1946. She and her husband moved to the suburbs of Washington, D.C., where they raised a family.
Irene was an animal lover, especially fond of her dogs. She was a skilled and prolific knitter, an avid walker, and had a “green thumb” for houseplants as well as outdoor gardens. She enjoyed vacationing in upstate New York when her family was young, and later vacationing in Ocean City, Md. Irene was at the center of numerous family traditions, often hosting dinners and baking cookies. She attributed her longevity to regular consumption of hot tea and milk chocolate (her love of chocolate was legendary).
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, L. Mabel and John Henderson; her husband of 61 years, D. Richard Dominelli; and her son-in-law, Larry S. Balducci. She is survived and missed by her three children, Joan A. Dominelli; Janet I. Thomas (Dennis); and James R. Dominelli (Debra). She is survived by six grandchildren, Kimberly M. Zeich (Todd); Jason R. Putnam (Lenora); Jennifer L. Heldt; Kevin M. Thomas; Richard C. Dominelli (Darlea); and Amanda L. Dominelli. She is also survived by four great grandchildren, Lillian R. Putnam; Tyler G. Heldt; Madeline G. Heldt; and Damien R. Dominelli.
Her final resting place will be with her late husband at Arlington National Cemetery.
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