She was born on April 11, 1943, in Orland, California, to the late Robert and Gladys (Nelson) Torrey. Irene earned her bachelor’s degree from Columbia College and went on to use her degree to teach English for ten years in South Korea before retiring.
Nature was Irene’s passion, and her years abroad combined that passion with her love of adventure. While living in South Korea, she often hiked in the mountains, meeting new people and enjoying the outdoors. Irene also found great joy in gardening and tending to her many beautiful gardens.
Survivors include her children, Sandra Jaeger (Greg) of Dardenne Prairie, MO; Patricia Mautone (Joe) of St. Charles, MO; Holly Dean Smith of Kingdom City, MO; Janet Desmangles-McKee (Kevin) of Columbia, MO; Michele G’Sell (Ray) of Eureka, MO; Nicole Boone of Columbia, MO; Barbara Desmangles (Jeff) of Franklin, NC; Christopher Desmangles of Columbia, MO; Peter Desmangles (Tiffanie) of West Lafayette, IN; and Rachel Kable (Ian) of Fayette, MO. She is also survived by a sister, Janis Torrey of Columbia, MO, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a nephew, dear relatives and friends.
