Irene Frances Newton

Irene,”Renie”, a beloved sister, wife, and aunt, passed away on December 18, 2025, at the age of 99. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, to Samuel and Lillian McCollom, Irene graduated from Center High School in Kansas City. In her twenties, she moved to California, living in Hollywood and seeking a career in the movie business. She often told the men she met that she was in movies and her name was Savra. Later, she met Bob, the love of her life, and they went to Las Vegas to get married in their Cadillac, sharing a happy marriage for 60 years.

They resided in Hollywood in a typical Hollywood apartment on Poinsettia, later moving to a beautiful home that Bob built in the Hollywood Hills. While living in Los Angeles, they enjoyed the Hollywood Bowl, Farmers Market, and all the cultural offerings of the area.

Irene worked as a secretary and always enjoyed her work, having a good time with fellow employees bowling and doing other fun activities. After Los Angeles, they lived in Stockton for four years before moving to their favorite place, San Diego. They loved San Diego and were happy to show it off, driving to all the sites and sharing stories and history with visitors. Many Sundays were spent in Balboa Park listening to organ concerts and visiting the museums.

Together, Irene and Bob never met a stranger. They had so much fun talking to everyone, always happy together and well-suited for each other. Renie, as she was known by many, was a good cook with a hearty appetite, enjoying meals with friends and family until the very end.

She was an avid walker, exploring everywhere on foot. Irene and Bob frequented estate sales, selling furniture, art, and collectibles from their garage. She always had a saying, often crediting her mom with them. You’d hear her say, " Manischevitz” ,”If it’s not one thing... it’s two!" She also loved giving everyone a nickname, affectionately calling Bob "Scoop," based on a name he had in a play in Hollywood.

Auntie Irene loved her family and they loved her and cherished the time together. Living in La Mesa, she and Bob enjoyed many family gatherings and celebrations with Lisa, Kelly, and friend Theresa. Kim would drive from Oceanside to La Mesa to visit Auntie Irene and Uncle Bob. They would pick up pizza and have a movie night at their apartment. Irene had a memorable time when Kim drove her to the Hollywood Hills to see the houses Bobby built and visited their favorite LA haunts. She cherished visits from her niece Jeni and her husband Byron, always going to her favorite restaurants to eat. Arlene, Dianne, and Lisa visited on a regular basis, always having some laughs and of course, lots of good food at restaurants in La Mesa. Irene prayed daily for all her beloved family, sending love to everyone. She cared deeply for her family near and far and shared a special spiritual bond with Kim.

In her last five years, she enjoyed living at Grossmont Gardens in La Mesa, relishing the friendship of residents and staff alike. She loved it when Kim would visit her — driving her to appointments, outing's to see June her best friend, or grabbing a burger. Kelly brightened her days with outings for donuts and trips to CVS for basics. She relied on Kelly for not just donuts and basics. . . .Kelly was her guardian angel looking after her and making sure she had the care she needed.

She is survived by her nieces Jeni Nichols and husband Byron; Dianne Pearson, Arlene Stafford, Celia Trusler and husband Steve, Bobby McCollom and wife Auriela; her great nieces Kelly White and husband Steve, Lisa McCollom and future husband Otis Gilmore, and Kim Maciarello. Great nephew Mike McCollom. And great-great nephew Bryce and wife Chloe Mayer and son Wyatt (great-great-great nephew), great-great nephew Austin Mayer and wife Emmanuela and Soria Ruiz (great-great nephew). Bob’s family was her family, Nancy Newton Caswell, Gordon Van Tassel and wife Karen, Joan Schmidtz and husband Joe, and Elaine Baer and husband Jim, along with other family members and dear friends. She will be forever in our hearts.

A funeral service will be held on January 20, 2026, at 11:00 am at Erickson-Anderson Mortuary, located at 8390 Allison Ave, La Mesa, California, 91942. A reception will follow at 12:00 pm at the same location.