Dear Irene,



We weren't prepared to lose you so soon -- there's still so much we want to share with you, so much left to be said. Do you know how much having you as a sister has meant to us -- how much we loved you and still do? We hope so. We already miss you, and know that without you, our lives will never be the same. We were not only sisters, we were friends, and real friendships never die. Like friendships, memories never die either, and we have plenty of good ones that will sustain us when your loss seems too hard to bear.



We are are so glad we were able to visit you and Lorene a few years ago in Hillsboro. We had a lot of laughs and, as usual, a lot of good food. Thankfully, we have a picture of all of us to document the occasion. What a great time!



We spent a lot of Thanksgiving holidays togther. Always a lot of chaos, but also a lot of good times that we're so glad we didn't miss. Do you notice a pattern here? Our family seems to have the best times when large amounts of food are involved?



We remember all the times you and Lorene sat around mom's and dad's kitchen table, always with a pot of coffee on the stove. We had some long conversations into the wee hours of the morning, with the intent to solve the world's problems. We never did, but we sure had fun trying.



We always remember how much fun we had growing the paper whites -- a Christmas present a couple of years ago. Who would have thought we could be so competitive? A lot of emails and photos exchanged about those paper whites.



When Wanda and Wayne came to visit you and Jim in Franklin, you guys had such a good time together. Wayne and Jim were real cut-ups, and it was always funny to see your reaction when he teased you. You pretended to be offended, but everyone know you really weren't.



You and Carolyn Sue were the dog lovers of the family. You two could talk for hours about Ruffles, Tiny, and Buddy. I know Sue will miss all your long phone conversations about dogs and everything else.



Jim made a special computer room for you, and I know you enjoyed spending time in it. We're going to miss those emails.



Irene, there's so many good times to remember, and so many things about you we'll miss. Fortunately, we didn't have to miss having you as a sister. You were the greatest!



Love, 

 Wanda, Carolyn Sue, and Donna



P.S. We know Mom, Dad, Lorene, Albert, and Debbie are waiting to give you a big hug.

Katherine Irene Tipitt was born on June 9, 1930 along with her twin sister Lorene to Harry and Dorothy Tipitt in the little river town of Mount Vernon located in the far southwest corner of the state of Indiana along the Ohio River. However, that's just a statistic. It tells you nothing about the heart and soul of this feisty little lady that we all know and love. In the next few minutes I hope to tell you a few things about Irene that you may or may not know.



Katherine Irene Tipitt Hazlett Foster, wife, sister, mother, step-mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was all those things and more. She may have been small in stature but what she lacked in height, she more than made up for in spirit. She was a straight-shooter and always told you what she thought; even when she knew you didn't want to hear it. She was almost always right. Irene was a loyal and devoted wife to her husband Jim. They built a life together of mutual respect and understanding, each accepting the other's children as their own. As with any couple, they didn't always agree with each other but when it counted, they were there for each other.



As a mother, Irene was challenged with raising her two children on her own. She loved Eugene and Debra Kay with all her heart and she taught them to work hard, have a good heart and to treat others with kindness. She was their confidant and they could always come to her with anything. I can say, without reservation, that Irene did a wonderful job raising her son. I know because I married him. Sadly, she lost her precious daughter Debra Kay on July 9, 1992, nearly 20 years ago, a tragedy no mother should have to suffer. Even though there is no biological connection, Joe and Sis are her children as well and she helped her husband Jim care for them. I know they think of her as a mother because I have often heard them call her "Mom".



Irene was a good daughter that respected and admired her parents, and she was a loving and caring sister to all her siblings. I can say with confidence that I know these things to be true about Irene because I was often there to witness it. Thanksgiving at the Tipitt's in Mount Vernon, Indiana was always a lively affair filled with fun, laughter, and lots of good food. I can remember all the sisters, Irene, Lorene, Wanda, Carolyn Sue, Donna Marie, and brother Albert Ray having all manner of discussions on nearly every topic under the sun, and then squirreling themselves away in another room, most likely plotting what they were going to do for their parents for Christmas. Irene had that special "twin" connection with her sister Lorene. When Lorene passed a part of Irene's heart went with Lorene just as a part of each of our hearts goes with Irene.





















When her grandchildren Kathryn Marie and Michael Eugene arrived, Irene again developed loving and lasting relationships. She became their confidant, just as she had been with her children. Irene's grandchildren have often said that they could talk to their grandmother about anything. Irene and her grandchildren didn't always see eye-to-eye but they would listen. I can still see Irene shaking that twisted and gnarled little fist at them as if to say "You better straighten up!". Sometimes they listened, sometimes not. Still, all in all, they loved her dearly and I know they will miss her.



Did you know that she was an animal lover? Her dogs were like children to her and she doted on them. First was Tiny, a little red dachshund full of energy. She was in love with him at first site. Then when her daughter passed away, Irene took in Debra Kay's dog Yo-Yo and cared for her until she passed. When she lost her Tiny she was devastated. Then Jim brought her a black and tan dachshund. They called him Buddy. She fell in love with him as well. Then along came Brownie, another red dachshund, and a little Yorkie they called Shaggy. Her Buddy passed not long ago but Brownie and Shaggy still remain to miss their "mommy". 



Irene loved her flowers and garden and you could often find her sitting on her little backyard patio enjoying the blooms that surrounded her. She had roses, peonies, gladiolas, red cannas, and many more. She usually planted petunias and impatiens every year and she and Jim would plant a lovely garden of vegetables to enjoy. 



Irene was a hard worker and she worked many years at a back-breaking job that would be a hardship for others twice her size. Her gnarly hands were a testament to the hard work she endured. Despite the pain she must have suffered, Irene never faltered, rising early every morning to go to work with no complaints. Irene was not a quitter and she fought until the very end. Irene fought the good fight and it is now her time to rest, no more pain no more sorrow.



Irene has been my mother-in-law for over forty years. But she was more than my mother-in-law, she was my friend and I loved her dearly. I, along with her husband, son, step-children, grandchildren, and many others here, will miss Irene terribly. Irene, the pain of your passing will ease over time but you will never be forgotten. We will always cherish all the memories that will become sweeter as time passes. We love you. Rest in peace Irene.

grandma and one of her great grandsons gabriel hazlett

These are my cute older sisters. I'm so glad I got to spend time with them.

I will never forget all of the day spent with her at Rocky while everyone else went fishig. Her and Lorine really could sweet with the Oldies.

OBITUARY

Katherine Foster

June 9, 1930 – April 22, 2012

Anderson Funeral Home

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