Irene V. Friedman

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Irene Veronica Friedman. Irene passed peacefully in Palm Harbor, Florida on March 5, 2024, with her children and grandchildren by her side.

Irene was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Ernest L. Friedman. She is survived by her children; daughters Pamela Friedman Horner and Deborah Irving; sons David Friedman and Gregory Friedman; daughter-in-law Virginia Friedman, as well as her grandchildren: Taylor Irving, Thomas Irving, Ashley Irving, Brianna Friedman, Cameron Friedman, Aaliyah Friedman, Cassandra Friedman, and Gregory Friedman. Irene is also survived by her brother, Robert Hilliard, as well as many adoring nieces and nephews.

Born in Port Jefferson, New York on January 24, 1936, to loving parents Anne and Frederick Hilliard and one of four children, she grew up in East Setauket, NY. Irene attended Setauket High School and graduated from Port Jefferson High School in New York. She also graduated from the City University of New York in Manhattan, earning a teaching degree in Cosmetology, and continued her education, graduating from Valley College of Los Angeles, CA. She worked as a stylist with a celebrity clientele before marrying her husband Ernie in 1959. They moved back to her hometown, where she raised four children, and was an integral part of the family retail business. Later in life after moving to Florida, and her children were grown, she received her Real Estate License. Then at 55 years old, she went back to school to earn a bachelor’s in nursing from St. Petersburg Junior College in St. Petersburg, FL. and became a practicing Registered Nurse for Hospice of Florida Suncoast. It was perhaps, other than her children, her proudest accomplishment. She was dedicated to caring for terminally ill patients with the kindness, patience and empathetic care that came so naturally to her.

Irene cherished her family and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She led an exemplary life and was a virtuous and noble woman, with integrity, a humble nature courage, compassion, and selfless generosity. She was a woman of faith and had a quiet inner strength and deep well of wisdom that carried her throughout her life.

Irene had a warm and cheerful spirit, was dearly loved by her family and touched everyone she met with her goodness. She was graced with beauty, both inside and out, and maintained her dignity, grace, and kind heartedness up until the very end.

She had many talents. She was creative, ingenious and did everything with conscientious diligence. She was an avid reader, enjoyed writing, painting, creative projects, decorating, and cooking. She was a tournament-winning tennis player. She loved the outdoors, playing the piano, landscaping, animals, horseback riding, ice skating, boating, and going to the beach. She had a thirst for knowledge, a playful zest for life, and was very active with endless energy.

Irene will be remembered for her dignity, courage, strength, devotion to her family, and unwavering faith. Her grace, warmth, endless love, and kindness will be deeply missed. She will be forever in our hearts.

A gathering will be held at Serenity Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 13401 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, FL 33774 on April 6, 2024, at 10 a.m with the service starting at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in memory of Irene Friedman may be made to Suncoast Hospice Foundation/Empath Health or St. Matthew Church in Largo, FL.