Irene E. Dodge

A Funeral Mass for Irene E. Dodge, age 88, a resident of the St. Joseph’s Nursing Home and formerly of Jersey Avenue in Ogdensburg, will be held on Wednesday (April 20, 2011) at 2:00pm at St. Mary’s Cathedral with Rev. Joseph P. Morgan officiating. Burial will be in the spring at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday (April 19, 2011) from 2:00-5:00pm at the Fox & Murray Funeral Home. Irene passed away on April 16, 2011 at Claxton Hepburn Medical Center after being admitted the prior day.

Irene Ellen Dodge was born on January 19, 1923 in Ogdensburg, NY the eldest daughter of the late Myron D. & Annabelle (Sheldon) Dodge. She attended Public School # 6 for her primary grades, and transferred to St. Mary’s Grade School for grades 4 - 8 and then on to St. Mary’s Academy for grades 9-12 where she graduated from in 1940. She then returned to school the following year for a post graduate course, and entered the Miss Effie Lou Wallace private secretarial school in September 1941. She then graduated with a secretarial degree in 1942.

Irene’s career began with Mr. Frank F. Hickok in his insurance office on Franklin Street. In March of 1946, she then became employed at the Ogdensburg Trust Company, now called Community Bank as a secretary for 39 years. She retired in March of 1985.

She was a forty year member of the Legion of Mary in her parish where she had served as president, a member of the Thursday Morning Apostleship Prayer Group, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Branch # 1143, a member of the Sheldon Family Association where she served as national secretary for several years and the Dodge Family Association, and a member of the Ogdensburg City Womens Club where she served as president. In both associations she traveled to difference states to attend yearly meetings.

Irene was an obedient daughter, a beautiful sister, a cherished friend and a lifetime active supportive member of the St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish. She was honored by her church on two occasions, first with two other women in the parish in 2005 at the “Celebration of Women”, and secondly in 2010 when she was given the title of “Lifetime of Selfless Service” by Rev. Terry R. LaValley, past rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral and Diocesan Administrator and now The Most Rev. Bishop Terry R. LaValley, Bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg.

Irene’s interest included knitting, especially sweaters and mittens, playing the piano, reading, traveling and genealogy. She also delivered Meals on Wheels for ten years after her retirement.

Surviving are two sisters Mrs. Charles A. (Mary) Trippany of Canton & Palmetto, FL and Barbara T. Dodge of Massena, NY; a nephew Thomas C. Trippany & his wife Bonnie of Potsdam and Palmetto, FL; a niece Sue Anne Bell & her husband Ronald of Franklin, MA; a great-niece Stephanie A. Bell of Franklin, MA along with several cousins residing in Lowville, Apex, NC, Lafayette, IN, and Tuscon, AZ. She was predeceased by her parents Myron D. & Annabelle (Sheldon) Dodge and a sister Helen Ann Dodge in 2002.

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank all personnel and staff members at St. Joseph’s Home and Claxton Hepburn Medical Center for their thoughtfulness, kindness and care extended to Irene our beloved sister.

Memorial contributions have been requested to a charity of ones choice.