Irene P. "Nanny" Bishop

Irene “Nanny” Painter Bishop, 90, of Ashland, suddenly passed away on Sunday, June 10, 2018. Irene lived a full life, laughed often, and loved deeply. She was born on July 21, 1927 and raised in Buena Vista, Virginia, where she met the love of her life & soulmate, Thomas C Bishop. Tom bought Barnes Drug Store in 1962, and the couple moved to Ashland, where they raised their daughter, Susan. Tom and Irene were deeply in love and rarely seen apart, enjoying many activities together. Irene had a zest for life, and loved to play tennis, golf, dance, bowl, read, play games/cards, and spend time with her family. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her three grandchildren; Brock, Rees & Hannah, who she was extremely close with. She loved her family with every ounce of her being, and would put any of us before herself. Her adventurous spirit took her and Tom all around the world, where she touched the lives of many, just as she has touched ours. Irene’s signature gift of pure joy was shown daily through her contagious smile, constant laughter, warm hugs, entertaining sense of humor, and she will never be forgotten. Irene had a heart of pure Gold, and her generosity was infectious and deeply admired by everyone around her. She truly touched every person who knew her in some special way. Throughout her lifetime, she reached out to help so many, including so many strangers she had never met. Her long-standing membership at First Baptist Church in Ashland brought her closer and closer to God each day, with her faith never faultering. Irene and her sister, Catherine Painter, lived at Hanover Manor, where she always enjoyed the lively entertainment, and was often found singing and dancing among her friends. She loved being social and interacting with the residents and staff every day. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 51 years, Thomas C. Bishop; her grandson, Brock Robertson; and her siblings Louis Painter, Lyle Painter, and Louise Meade. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Bishop Robertson (Keith); grandchildren, Rees Robertson and Hannah Robertson; her siblings, Catherine Painter, Loretta Staton, Helen Wright, Doris Reid, and Thurman Painter; many beloved nieces and nephews; a very special niece, Vickie Koss; three stepchildren, Thomas Bishop, Timothy Bishop, and Jeannie Bishop; five step grandchildren; and eleven step great grandchildren. Anyone who knew Irene knew that she loved life and celebrated every day to the fullest. The family will receive friends on Monday, June 18 from 6-8 pm at the Nelsen Funeral Home and Crematory-Reid Chapel, 412 S. Washington Hwy., Ashland, VA 23005. A celebration of her life will occur on Tuesday, June 19 at 2 pm, at First Baptist Church in Ashland. Private Interment. Please wear bright colors and be prepared to celebrate the beautiful & amazing person she was. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Children's Home Society of Virginia or the Richmond Ronald McDonald House. Beyond any financial donations, Irene always lived by the Golden Rule, “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you”. Please reach out and do a loving act of kindness, share a laugh, send a card, give a hug, or just say “I love you” to your special someone in her memory.