Irene recently passed away on January 16, 2019 at age 91, in Ft. Worth, Tx. Where she had been living and cared for by family for the past few years.
Irene was born on October 1st, 1927 to Charles and Stella (Rook) Byrne in Sandusky, Ohio. As an only child, Irene always loved being around children and people. As a result, she is survived by a large family, many friends, and associates from her lifetime.
Irene qualified for the United States Cadet Nursing Corps in 1944, and studied Nursing at Providence Hospital, in Sandusky. She completed the program and Graduated in 1948 as a Registered Nurse, marrying Mark Austin of Ohio the following year.
Irene joined the Vanderburg County Health Dept. of Indiana in 1961. Most of her Nursing experience was with the Public Health Dept. -eventually running the Well Baby Clinic in the Fulton Housing Project. After raising her family, she remarried, to Leo Dean of Evansville, Indiana (gaining 6 adult stepchildren). When Leo passed away, she retired from Public Health, and relocated to northern Ohio in 1989, to be near family and relatives.
In retirement Irene became a Dorm mom at Cedar Point Amusement Park: she liked being around young people which kept her feeling young and involved. She also volunteered in her spare time: with 4 County Young Heart Senior Center, Bellevue Society of the Arts, the Salvation Army, and at Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library - where she worked transferring newspaper information to microfilm. This was useful information to increase family knowledge of their origins (genealogy). Her cousin Vera Sengstock also aided her in this.
Irene loved to travel, seeing new places, and visiting with family and friends. Her strength was found in her family, her faith, and her prayer group. She encouraged everyone to have a positive outlook on life.
She was the mother of: Geraldine/Geri (Clarence Stiefel) of Ft. Worth, TX; Yvonne/Von Kay (Carl Kautzman) of Evansville, IN; Betty (Robert Moyer) of Bellevue, Ohio; Beverly/Bev (Andrew Heydinger) of Ottawa Lake, MI; Steven Austin of Mt. Vernon, WA; and Elaine Wright of Ft. Worth, TX.
She was the Grandmother of 35 grandchildren, and Great Grandmother to 60 great grandchildren, with 3 more great grandchildren due soon. She will be missed by the many who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Stella Byrne; her daughter, Yvonne (Von Kay) Kautzman and Son-in-law Carl Kautzman; former spouse, Mark Eugene Austin; her husband, Leo Morris Dean.
She will be interred with her parents in a small private ceremony at Bellevue Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
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