Irene Y. Lavelle, (nee Haman) 94, of Prospect Heights was born March 15, 1923 in Nancy, France to Rene and Blanche Haman and passed away January 5, 2018. Professor Lavelle established the Language Department at Harper College. She earned her Master’s Degree at Notre Dame and her PHD at Roosevelt University. Irene was the beloved wife of the late Francis M. Lavelle; loving mother of Gilles C. (Jennifer) Sanderson, Patricia N. Hernandez and Nancy E. Bensen; cherished grandmother of 6 and great-grandmother of 6; proceeded in death by her brother, Gaston and her sister, Audette and survived by many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Sunday, January 21, 2018 from 3-7 p.m. at Lauterburg & Oehler Funeral Home, 2000 E. Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights, IL where a funeral service will be held Monday, January 22, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Heartland Animal Shelter, 2975 Milwaukee Avenue, Northbrook, IL 60062 or Orphans of the Storm, 2200 Riverwoods Road, Deerfield, IL 60015.