Irene Seckla of Westbrook, CT passed away peacefully on October 30, 2026, at the age of 95, just days before her 96th birthday. She was born on November 8, 1930 in Valley Stream, New York to parents Conrad and Emma (Zeh) Becker.
Irene moved to Westbrook at the age of seven where she was raised along with her four siblings. Westbrook would remain her home for the rest of her life, even building a home just down the road from her childhood house.
She graduated from Morgan High School in 1948. In the years after, she spent time as a clerical worker for L.C. Doane, a waitress at her sister Emma’s restaurants, an at-home assembler for Structural Graphics, and a subcontractor for Whelen Engineering.
Irene was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and homemaker. She had a big, beautiful heart that was felt by family, friends, and all who met her. Always putting others before herself, Irene was giving by nature.
If you asked Irene, she would tell you the most important thing in her life was her family. She lived for her family.
Irene also found great joy in sharing stories, puzzles (jigsaw and crossword), watching the Boston Celtics and UCONN basketball games, gardening/weeding, and playing the slots at Mohegan Sun.
Irene is predeceased by her parents; her husband, Harold Seckla, whom she spent 53 wonderful years with; her brother Conrad Becker and his wife June; and her sister Emma Swain and her husband Richard.
She is survived by her three daughters — Patricia Wilhelm and her husband Romano, Susan Madden and her husband Jim, and Linda Mansey and her husband Jim; two grandchildren — Brendan Mansey and his wife Liseth, and Kendra Mansey; her beloved great-grandson Luke Mansey; her siblings Arthur Becker and his wife Betty, and her brother Thomas Becker; and extended family.
Calling hours will be at the Swan Funeral Home in Old Saybrook on Friday, November 6th from 10 to 11:30 a.m. with a service to follow. Burial will take place at Cypress Cemetery in Westbrook after the service.
