Irene Barbary

Irene Barbary, age 88 and a resident of Warren for the majority of her life, died Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at St. John Macomb Hospital in Warren surrounded by her loving family. Irene was born in Shawnee, Kansas on June 5, 1927, daughter of the late Prudent Blancke and the late Martha (nee: Van Hee) Blancke.At the young age of 10 years old, Irene's family moved from Kansas to Michigan where her father settled in Warren to farm a new homestead. Irene and her siblings all worked the family farm and did their share of chores. When Irene's brothers were called to duty during World War II, she and her twin sister Lorene worked the farm alongside their father and mother. Irene accepted that the hard work on the farm was simply part of life and growing up. She graduated the 8th grade and returned back to working the family farm following her schooling.As Irene matured, she met a young man from another farm across town by the name of Jerome Barbary... the two fell madly in love and were married September 25, 1948. Irene's father sold off a parcel of land to Jerome and Irene so that the two could build a home on the existing Blancke farm. The home was built and the young couple would eventually raise two beautiful daughter's. As Warren developed into a suburb of Detroit, the farm lands shrank to much smaller parcels and the land was sold to develop homes in the new burgeoning community. Irene's family and children would continue to farm a smaller area, primarily raising tomatoes and selling the vegetables at the tomato stand on Hoover Road. Irene was also a consummate homemaker, consistently baking her lemon meringue, coconut cream, and strawberry cream pies. Anyone visiting the Barbary home was always welcomed and offered a piece of pie, a cup of coffee or tea, and words of advice and wisdom from Irene. She had a heart of gold and never forgot a birthday. She baked birthday cakes for all her siblings, and later for all her nieces and nephews. Additionally, on Good Friday, Irene would bake Bunny cakes for all the kids. She was a mother of two daughters, however on Mother's Day, Irene received a slew of cards from her many other "adopted children" whom considered Irene their second Mom. Irene loved to have family and friends around her at all times. A good party was to be enjoyed with Irene being the centerpiece. She cherished the annual 4th of July Birthday celebrations at her home over the years and the usual lunch and card games with the girls she grew up with in Warren. Irene was a person who was direct and straight to the point, full of integrity. She was a woman devout in her faith who lived her faith not by words, but by her actions. Irene held deep love for her family and her many, many friends. Additionally, she loved all animals, especially her many dogs over the years. For all who had the pleasure of knowing Irene will suffer a loss and void, but the void should be replaced by the many wonderful memories Irene left in your heart.Irene was the beloved wife of Jerome for over 68 years, and is the dearest mother of Joanne (Dr. Gregory) Keys, and Maureen (Timothy) Dawda. Irene was the cherished grandmother of Natalie, Holden (fiance Jaimie), Emma, and the late Alex. She was the dear sister of the late Albert Blancke, the late Bill (Marcella) Blancke, the late Lorene Brulez, and sister-in-law of Irene Blancke, Albert Brulez, Marie (Al) Syoen, and the late Adrienne (Maurice) Reygaert. Irene is the loving Tante of Christine (Roger) Stecker, Michael (Louise) Blancke, Diane (Bob) Lamb, Donna (Daryl) Kaltz, Janice (Bob) McDonald, Debbie (the late Terry) Trombley, Gary (Julie) Blancke, Bill (Nancy) Blancke, Marshall (Basia) Brulez, Adele (Andy) Konyha, Martha Brulez, Marie (Eric) Driesbach, Sue Ann Syoen, Greg (Pam) Syoen, Mike (Karen) Reygaert, Steve Reygaert, Jerry (Peggy) Reygaert, and Michelle (Bob) Shores. Visitation for Mrs. Barbary will be held Sunday, April 17th from 2-9 pm, with a 7pm Rosary Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ mile) in Warren. Mrs. Barbary will lie in state on Monday, 9:00 am at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church until time of the Funeral Mass at 9:30 am. Celebrating the Funeral Liturgy will be Reverend Fr. Nick Zukowski. Memorial donations are appreciated to the Scleroderma Foundation, 300 Rosewood Dr. Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923. www.scleroderma.org Please share memories of Irene at her memory book above.