Irene (Berry) Hartnett, age 95, of Fall River, passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Kimwell Nursing and Rehabilitation. She was married to the late Owen J. Hartnett for 47 years and had eight children, Owen Michael Hartnett and his wife Rosemarie of Tiverton, Brian Hartnett of Coventry, Matthew Hartnett and his wife Lauren of N. Attleboro, Anne Hartnett of Seekonk, and Rosemary Hartnett of Seekonk. Irene was the mother of the late Joseph, Jeffrey and Arlene Hartnett.
Born in Fall River, Irene was the daughter of the late Elvie and Alice (Zukowski) Berry.
A graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, Irene attended Bradford Tech and took courses in Fashion Design. In addition to raising a large family, Irene worked as a Clerk at the Fall River Unemployment Office, as a cashier for Cumberland Farms, and as a Retail Assistant for Anderson Little, McWhirr’s and Edgars.
She was active in the Sacred Heart Church Women’s Guild where she served a term as President, organizing, editing and publishing a cookbook of member’s recipes to raise funds for the church as well as running the church bazaar. She was an avid knitter and liked making clothing for her children and grandchildren. Irene loved to sing and performed a solo of “Silent Night” in Polish at Kimwell Nursing Home during a Christmas concert.
In addition to her children, Irene is survived by one sister, Dorothy Ziobro of Las Vegas, NV; seven grandchildren, Carol, Jeffrey, Patricia, Owen Joseph, Kieran, Joseph and Kathryn; seven great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Nolan, Jacob, Jaclyn, Liam, Emerson and Monroe as well as several nieces and nephews. Irene was the sister of the late Raymond Frechette and Rita Borden.
Her Funeral Services and Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Irene’s honor may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association by visiting https://www.alz.org
