Irene McCarthy Spicer Keegan Montgomery passed away peacefully in her Houston home on April 21, 2021, two weeks shy of her 95th birthday. Beloved mother of three, step-mother of 15, grandmother and great-grandmother to many, she leaves a legacy of wisdom, joy, grit, humor, love, and plain-spoken common sense that continues to enrich the lives of all that knew her.
Raised by a devoted single mother in a cold-water flat on Cleveland Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Irene knew hardship but never want, and there developed the lifelong ability to smile in the face of adversity. After moving to Baltimore in 1956 and taking a job at Crown Petroleum she met handsome John Gordon Spicer II. They soon married and set down roots on Rummel Creek Drive, in Houston’s Spring Branch/Memorial neighborhood, where Irene’s three children—Amy, John Gordon III, and Susan—were born and raised.
From Houston the family traveled regularly to Galveston, Padre Island, and the Lake Mancos Dude Ranch in Colorado, as well as longer road trips to Florida and the Grand Canyon. Irene never lost her love of travel, but she formed deep bonds to her Houston community, including her dearest friend, Jean Montgomery, and Jean’s husband, Dr. Charles Hunter Montgomery, as well as her Rummel Creek neighbors, Helen and Frank Keegan, and Tom and Shirley Horner.
John Spicer died in 1981. Irene found solace with the recently-widowed Frank Keegan, and they married in 1985. Irene then became step-mother to the 11 Keegan children: Alicia, Jim, John, Eileen, George, Bob, Tom, Joe, Mary, Michael, and Tim. Frank died in 1989. After Jean Montgomery died in 1999, Irene and Hunter married in 2000, and Irene’s extended family grew yet again, this time to include Hunter’s children: Keith, Karen, Kendall, and Kimberly. Irene became the matriarch of enormous clan, presiding over weddings, christenings, B’nai Mitzvot, and countless birthdays, anniversaries, and holiday dinners.
Active and energetic throughout her life, Irene traveled the world: Alaska, Brazil, Kenya, Egypt, Thailand, China, across the Caribbean and Europe, and many places in between. She danced at her granddaughter’s wedding a mere month before her passing. Irene was blessed that her mind never failed her, and she could recall people, places, and events from anywhere in her storied past. She will be dearly missed.
The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the New Bedford Chapter of the American Red Cross (995 Rockdale Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02740), or the Houston Food Bank (https://www.houstonfoodbank.org).
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