Irene S. Holmes

Irene Fozkos Holmes, 100, of Carmel, IN passed away peacefully on Friday, October 3. She was born to Hungarian immigrant parents in a small coal mining town in Washington County, Pennsylvania, on July 30, 1925. Irene was the 12th of 14 children born to Paul and Julia (Kemendi) Fozkos.

Preceding Irene in death are her parents, her husband Bert C. Holmes, and all of her siblings and their spouses: Fred (Loretta), George (Dorothy), Paul (Helen), William (Betty), Joseph (Stella), Henry, Julie (Eino), Theresa (Bill), Helen (Herbert), Wilma (Jack), and Becky (Robert). Two additional siblings, Elizabeth and Alex, died in infancy.

Irene is survived by her daughter Melanie (Peter) Marshall and many beloved nieces, nephews and their families.

Irene was the last baby born in Pennsylvania before her mother insisted the family move away from the coal mining industry and back to their former home in northwest Indiana. The family relocated to East Chicago where the final two children, Becky and Hank, were born. The final trio of children were to become incredibly close as the years progressed, and Irene was often the stalwart protector and confidant for Becky and Hank.

In 1939, when Irene was 14 years old, the family lost their father to black lung disease. Four children were still at home, and the older two felt the need to work. Irene began a series a part-time jobs after school to supplement the family. Her first job was in a dress shop. Irene was an excellent student and a favorite of her teachers at East Chicago Washington High School. Irene often related stories of how several teachers went out of their way to help her and her siblings. Irene graduated in 1943 with a solid set of secretarial skills, enabling her to work for a variety of companies including Railway Express and Standard Oil.

On March 24, 1951, Irene and Bert were married at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. They had met met 10 years earlier on a blind date arranged by her sister Wilma and her husband Jack, Bert’s cousin. Bert, an army veteran of World War II, had been recalled to reopen the fort and help train soldiers for service in Korea. Bert would leave for Korea in June of that year.

When Bert safely returned from Korea, he and Irene purchased a home in Griffith, Indiana in which they would live for over 50 years. It became home for an extended family that included Irene‘s mother, Julia. She lived with them for 30 years until her death at the age of 93. Younger brother Hank also lived with the family for the first 11 years. This enabled him to work, save and graduate from Northwestern University with a degree in journalism in 1957. His career in advertising eventually led him to move out on his own to Chicago.

Bert and Irene shared a very strong love for family, and they were the ultimate caregivers to their parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. Their home was always open for visits to Grandma Fozkos. It resonated with the sounds of voices animatedly speaking Hungarian, Romanian, German, and English. There was always lots of joy and laughter. Irene was the consummate hostess for these planned and spontaneous visits. She was an outstanding cook and baker, and no one ever left hungry or empty-handed when they came for a visit.

Irene was a highly skilled seamstress. She sewed most of her own clothes beginning in high school and taught her daughter how to sew. She also continued her mother’s tradition of crocheting and knitting. Irene loved gardening, floral arts and fresh flower arranging. Her hobbies also included contesting. She was especially adept at writing jingles. In 1957, she won the top prize, a brand new Cadillac, for naming the logo dog for Bryant Gas Furnace Company. Her winning entry? “Cindergone.”

In 2006, Bert and Irene relocated to a beautiful home in Carmel, Indiana just a few minutes from their daughter Melanie. At the time, they would often say they would be grateful if they even had just one year in their new home. Bert was to have 10 years, passing in 2015, and Irene would enjoy 19 years. Irene was able to stay in her own home with her daughter’s care save for the final two days of her life.

Irene‘s greatest skill was her ability to create and maintain a beautiful, loving and supportive home for her family. Her siblings benefited from the incredible gift she gave them in the care of their mother. Family members knew her home was a safe haven in challenging, difficult times and also a place for joyful celebrations. Many of her nieces and nephews became very close to her over the years, often relying on her love, support, and wise counsel. She touched many lives, both in and outside of her family.

The family is eternally grateful for the outstanding medical care Irene received from Dr. Susan Helsel, Dr. David Hedrick and the staff of Innovative Hematology of Indiana, Dr. James Trippi, Paradigm Hospice, and Life’s Journey in Avon, IN. Irene was buried in a private ceremony on Monday, October 6th next to her beloved Bert in Carmel Cemetery.