Irene G. Langley

Born on May 27, 1926 in Germany to Hans and Charlotte Gabriel, she immigrated with her parents and sisters Marianne and Toni to the United States in 1938. She always said that coming to this country was the best thing that ever happened to her. To this day, the family celebrates the anniversary of the arrival of the Gabriel family in the US on the RMS Queen Mary.

From her mother, Irene learned a love of snow skiing and swimming. From her father, she acquired a love for classical music. She also adopted his practice of reading widely and taking a daily walk. Into her 99th year, Irene was a familiar sight talking her walks in the neighborhood.

Irene graduated Hunter College with a major in Physiology and earned her Master’s in Physiology at Boston University. It was at BU that she met the tall, handsome medical student, Warren Franklin Langley, who was to become her beloved husband of 68 years until his death in 2019. They raised three children together, worked together at Warren’s medical office, and traveled together in the US and abroad, often by bicycle. Unto her last days, Irene retained her keen intellect, sense of humor, and concern for those around her. She was an inspiration to all her knew her.

Irene is survived by her children Debora Mann (Tom), David Langley, and Robin Langley Epps, as well as grandchildren Warren Epps, Amy Epps, Charlotte Epps, Nathaniel Mann, Hanna Langley, and Savanna Langley and seven great-grandchildren. She is also mourned by her nephew Andy Yatrofsky (Prisbe) and Warren’s niece Diane Bonano, and grandniece Jodi Korlacki (David).

The family is grateful to Jennifer White, Andrea Adams, and Stephanie Newman-Harriott for their dedicated care and companionship, which was a great comfort to Irene. We extend our deepest gratitude to Maxine Morris, who cared not only for Irene but also Warren before her. During the decade she spent with the family, she became a dear friend to Irene, and has been like a member of the family herself. We appreciate her expertise, wise counsel, and the love she gave our parents, which set our minds at ease knowing that they had the best possible care.