Irene Marie O'Donnell

Irene M. O’Donnell, affectionately known as Renee, 76, of Whiting, NJ, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 17th, 2026, in Toms River, NJ. Renee was born in Jersey City, NJ, on July 24, 1949, to parents, James and Margaret (nee Bohrer) O’Donnell. Renee grew up in Iselin, NJ where she attended John F. Kennedy Memorial High School graduating in 1967. She resided in Middletown, NJ after High School until 1980 when she moved to Manchester, NJ and raised her family. Renee moved to Whiting, NJ in 2016 where she lived out her final years.

Renee worked various jobs throughout her life, Freedman’s Bakery in Manchester, NJ, Asbury Park Press in Toms River, NJ and First Fidelity Mortgage in Toms River, NJ. Her main career and most important one was that of a homemaker and raising her four children.

Renee was an avid reader and enjoyed quiet time sitting on her couch and if not reading she loved to watch court TV. Most of all she was a kind and gentle soul with a warm smile. She never wanted or needed anything extravagant, she alway preferred a simple and peaceful life for herself and for her family. She always gave her best, always gave anything and everything that she had. She was a kind, sweet, and loving person whose presence will be greatly missed.

Renee was predeceased by her parents James and Margaret (nee Bohrer) O'Donnell.

She is survived by her children: Kimberly McCarthy and her husband Michael of Staten Island, NY, James Gartley and his wife Varin (nee Ruggiero) of Toms River, NJ, Michael Gartley of Cotopaxi, Colorado, and Justin Gartley and his wife Alison (nee Ludowyk) of Geelong, Australia. Her 15 grandchildren, Stephen Pandolf and his wife, Dianna, Emily McCarthy, Kelly McCarthy, James McCarthy, Liam McCarthy, Scott Gartley, Grace Gartley, Andrew Gartley, Vance Gartley, Jace Gartley, Nole Gartley, Shane Savastano, Alexander Gartley, Abigail Gartley, Elijah Gartley, and her great grandchild Lucas Pandolf. Renee is also survived by her sisters, Jane Takacs of Toms River NJ, and Maryann Benicaso of Mesa, Arizona, and her cousin, Jerry Bohrer of Monroe Twp, NJ, who she always referred to as the brother she never had.

A visitation will be held for Renee at Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 3010 Ridgeway Road, Manchester, NJ 08759,on Monday, July 27, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Religious Ceremony will take place in the Chapel of St. John Catholic Church, 619 Chestnut St, Lakehurst, NJ 08733, on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, from 10:00 am to 10:45 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in memory of Renee to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org/donate).