Irene Shirley Keenberg

Irene Shirley Keenberg (Keene) passed away peacefully at her home of 70 years in Sherman Oaks, California on October 15th, 2023 at the age of 95. She was born on December 16th, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois to parents William and Anna Smith. Irene was the second of four sisters and moved to Los Angeles when she was five years old. Irene grew up of humble means during the depressions which shaped her sensibilities. She married her high school sweetheart Myer at 17 and devoted her life to Myer and their three daughters.

Irene was the ultimate homemaker, taking great pride in her well organized and sparkling clean home. She had a routine for everything: Mondays and Thursdays were for washing clothes, Tuesdays and Fridays were for cleaning and scrubbing. Irene loved cooking and was a phenomenal chef and baker who documented every recipe on hand-written index cards. Family dinners were served promptly at 5 pm every evening and every birthday her children were treated to a custom home-made birthday cake.

She also enjoyed knitting, sewing clothes for her children and grandchildren and making dolls and blankets. Irene loved music and dancing and we could find Irene and Myer cutting the rug with a mean jitterbug many an evening. She loved playing the piano and continued taking lessons after her children were grown. It was always wonderful to hear her play.

You could also always find her in the kitchen singing the latest Broadway, standards and popular hits. She was very active, jogging or walking several miles a day (including 2 LA marathons), playing tennis and working in her beautiful flower garden.

Irene doted on her grandchildren, never missing a birthday and sent cards with just enough gelt, for every occasion. She was always happiest when she was surrounded by her grandchildren and in her later years, her great grandchildren.

After Myer died at the young age of 56 she eventually married again, to Ely Keenberg, and enjoyed traveling the world with him. Hawaii was her favorite vacation spot where she took many summer trips with beloved family.

Living with advanced Alzheimer’s, she was especially grateful to have incredibly loving care from her caregivers, Marlene, Rodolfo, Stephanie and Jhosep. They helped her recapture her glory years, going to the park, shopping at the mall, giving her manicures, dressing her to the nines and going out on the town for lunches and dinners.

Irene is survived by her daughters Vivian, Janice(Steve), and Barbara(William); stepsons, Richard and Mark; grandchildren Andrew(Darci), Geoffrey, Jennifer(Kevin), Allison(Chris), Mico, and Jonathan; great-grandchildren Chloe, Charlotte, Nicky, and Grant.

Irene’s family will honor her at a graveside service on Thursday, October 19, at 11 am at Eden Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gromanedenmortuary.com for the Keenberg family.