Irene Gonzalez Amador

Irene G. Amador, 89, beloved mother and wife to Thomas F. Amador since 1955 (67 years), was called home on October 28, 2023. Thomas and Irene met on a blind date and were married in December 1955, in Dallas, Texas, both at the age of 23. Thomas said he knew when he first met Irene “she was the one”. They began their family at a young age, and had their first child, Elizabeth in 1956, followed by Tommy in 1957, Lydia in 1959, Diane in 1962, and Rose in 1965.

Irene was born in Malakoff, Texas, on December 3, 1933, and moved to Nueva Rosita, Mexico shortly thereafter where she was raised by two wonderful parents, Irene and Nicholas Gonzalez. Irene’s mom taught English to local residents wanting to learn English, and her father worked in a coal factory; however, his main passion was playing baseball for one of the Mexican League teams in the area where he excelled as a pitcher. They moved to Dallas, Texas in the early 1950s, where Irene became an accomplished young singer and where she met her soon-to-be husband, Tom, also a musician who had his own band, and the rest is history.

Irene was a very strong spirit with a great work ethic that was passed down to all her kids. She found a way, no matter how challenging, to get anything accomplished throughout her life including building a great foundation for her family, as all the kids are successful today in their own right, thanks to the dedication of Irene and Thomas to their family.

Irene took great care of her kids who were her #1 priority, and did everything they needed in life, including providing hot breakfasts on school mornings, carpooling many kids to St. Pius X school (in addition to her own), sewing and mending her daughter’s clothes, transporting all the kids to doctors and orthodontists, piano lessons, boy scouts, and making sure every detail was taken care so they would always looked and acted their best when their dad came home from work from his day job.

Irene, being the compassionate person she was for all children, supported St. Jude’s Hospital for many years, and also an animal lover having taken care of her beloved dog, Candy, for many years, and her many grand dogs. Irene was also very involved fitness for many years. She often walked 5+ miles a day for many years, and was a member of health clubs for much of her adult life. She even found time to be an avid gardener and took great care of her favorite plants, red roses and cannas. And, in addition to all of the above, Irene worked many years in the insurance industry at a large company in Dallas for many years, earning numerous awards and recognition. In summary, somehow Irene found time to accomplish all of the above, raise a successful family, and most importantly, took many tasks off of Thomas’s plate while he worked two jobs to provide for his family. Irene was the best partner her husband, Thomas, could have asked for knowing his kids were in great hands with Irene.

Our mother, Irene, will be greatly missed, and leaves a strong foundation and legacy for the Amador family, now comprised of 5 kids, 10 grandkids, 9 great grandkids, and many cousins, extended family, and friends. Irene is survived by her husband Thomas F. Amador, Jr., daughter Elizabeth Thomas (Keith), son Tommy Amador III (Helen), and daughters Lydia Tullos (Steve), Diane Rodgers (David), and Rose Swanson (Thomas) and grandkids, Daniel Amador, Jeff Amador, John Thomas, Greg Thomas, Wes Thomas, Laura Musa, Michelle Tullos, Sarah Tullos, Nicholas Rodgers, Grant Rodgers, and great grandkids, Irene Amador, Miriam Amador, Leighton Thomas, Hayes Thomas, Indy Thomas, Clayton Musa, Hannah Musa, Avery Rodgers, and Rhyse Rodgers.

Wow, what a life! Rest in peace, mom.