She was born in the small town of Cowley Wyoming, the youngest of five children and the only daughter of Ellis and Marion Willis. After graduating high school in Cowley she attended the University of Wyoming and then transferred to BYU where she met her husband Ray Stewart Ludlow Sr. As the story goes, he proclaimed, “That’s the one for me!” and they spent 54 years together and were sealed for time and eternity in the Mormon temple.
Irene was immensely proud of her small-town upbringing surrounded by a large, loving extended family and four doting older brothers. Her parents taught the values of loyalty, faith, respect for others as well as love for family traditions and country. In times of trouble, she would always say “We came from pioneer stock and we will make it through.”
She was active in civic and school activities as well as in church. A woman of many talents, she enjoyed growing flowers and loved to cook and entertain. Her home was the center for celebrations big or small. A quick wit and storyteller, with a wonderful sense of humor, she always had a new joke to tell. Music was her love and she was blessed with a beautiful singing voice. Music filled her home and that passion was passed down through the generations.
She and her husband worked side by side as Distributors of Kirby Vacuums for well over 50 years. This gave them the opportunity to travel, winning trips all over the world and yet her favorite thing to do was to get outdoors in nature. A steak fry at Eagle Fern Park in Oregon or camping at Yale Lake in Cougar, Washington were simple pleasures that brought her joy.
Irene was preceded in death by her loving husband Ray. She is survived by her four children, daughter Cynthia Payne (Craig), and sons Stewart (Cindy), Sed and Scott (Nancy), several cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was Grandma to six grandchildren and Gigi to nine great-grandchildren.
A small graveside service will be held on April 8, 2021, at Willamette National Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18