Irene "Chris" June Andersen

Irene June Andersen, 85 (known as Chris to her family and friends) died peacefully Saturday, March 23, 2024 in Clearwater, Florida.

She was born June 6 of 1938 in Rochester, New York to Gerda and Martin Andersen.

She is survived by her sister Evelyn Hartway; her daughter, Robin (Steve) Coleman; her son, T.J. (Kim) Holland; and her grandchildren, Jack Holland 27, Dane Coleman 25, Mack Holland 25 and Colbie Coleman 22.

We will miss her deeply, especially her wisdom and her wit, her humor and her smile, her voice and her hugs.

After graduating from Buffalo State University in New York, she continued her graduate studies at Cornell, FAMU, USF, and the University Of Tampa earning two masters degrees (Education and Leadership).

When she first moved to the Tampa Bay area, she was a Fashion Merchandising & Marketing Professor at Stratford College and Saint Petersburg JC. She was also a part-time gold jacket real estate agent to earn extra money so we could travel as a family each summer.

She was employed by the Hillsborough County school district starting in 1976. Positions included Department Chair of Home Economics, Acting Dean, Assistant Principal (Gaither HS and Plant City HS), Student Affairs Supervisor, Food Service Supervisor, and Adult Education Programs Coordinator for the Business Technology, Diversified Marketing, and Family and Consumer Sciences departments.

With all of her full time work, graduate studies, and raising two children – three if you include our late father Chuck Holland (his words not ours) – she still managed volunteering for The Special Olympics, Gulf Coast Epilepsy Foundation Board of Directors, Hillsborough County Citizens Advisory Committee, Zonta International, Belleair Beach Civic Association and Beach Renourishment. She also served as an Ambassador in her various communities, welcoming new residents.

Her love of travel took her all over the globe and she was very proud to have traveled through every continent. Among her favorites were her “Walk with Paul” pilgrimage – she felt that visit was the most Spiritually meaningful – and Maui, which she thought had the most beautiful flora and fauna she’d ever seen.

She was very courageous traveling solo on a round-the-world cruise for 3 months. Her most impacting experience was probably being mid-air over the Atlantic on 9/11 while traveling home from Europe. Her plane was rerouted to Canada until she could get a bus home to Florida.

Oh the stories she told!

She adored her Grandchildren and delighted in each one, fostering their interests and encouraging their dreams.

In her words: “The best gift I could ever receive is time spent with my Family in the mountains and on the beach”

We agree, we will miss our Mother and their G deeply, but take comfort in knowing that she is free of her body and at peace, no limits.

A Graveside service for Irene will be held Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park, 2860 SUNSET POINT RD, CLEARWATER, FL 33759.

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