Mabel Irene Metzger

October 23, 1929 – February 7, 2021

Irene was born to Enoch Hinton and Mabel Niceley in Napton, Missouri. She was raised on the family farm with her seven siblings. She helped her folks with chores on the farm, even helping her father in the fields and driving all the farm vehicles. Her dad gave her the nickname “Pete”. She didn’t mind the name, and family and friends have called her Pete her entire life.

She came to California in 1950 to visit her sister Helen. Helen convinced her to move to California, so she returned home, packed her belongings, and moved to California. It was after her return that she saw a handsome man talking to her sister one evening. Helen quickly introduced Irene to Arnold Metzger. That meeting turned into a whirlwind romance and they were married 6 weeks later on June 17, 1950. They were married 47 years when Arnold passed on August 11, 1997. They raised 3 children in San Jose, Daniel Irving, Joyce Irene and Melody Ann. As a young family they spent much time camping in the mountains of Sonora, especially the Long Barn and Twain Harte areas, where eventually they bought a cabin for family trips.

Irene worked as a Nurse’s Aide for O’Connor Hospital, Valley Medical Center and Good Samaritan Hospital, eventually moving to the position of Unit Secretary in the Newborn Nursery. She loved caring for and being around the newborns. She retired in 1993 with 26 years at Good Samaritan, and turned around and volunteered in Good Samaritan Patient Services until 2017.

Irene loved to travel, and in addition to trips to Missouri to visit family and friends and attend high school reunions, her travels included the Panama Canal, Alaska, Washington D.C., Canyon Lands – Denver, Eastern Canada and Spain. She was also a big Oakland A’s fan, attending many games with friends, and enjoyed time outside tending her yard and flowers.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold, and her son Daniel Irving. She is survived by daughters Joyce (Dave) Miller and Melody (Joe) Heath, 6 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, her brother Robert (Beverly) Hinton, and many nieces and nephews.

Irene was a kind, gentle and thoughtful person who touched many lives and will be missed by all who knew her.