Irene Rose Singer was born on March 12, 1938 in Manuelito, New Mexico. She died peacefully in hospice care at the residence of her daughter Michelle in Portland, Oregon on January 8, 2021 surrounded by loved ones. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, relative and friend.
Irene is survived by her two daughters [Marcie (Josh) and Michelle], grandchildren [Cody (Suzy), Elijah (Maria), Jaliene (Chalen), Shaelee], great-grandchildren (Sam, Sophia, Celeste), daughter in-law (Carolyn) and many relatives. She is preceded in death by her husband (Samuel), two sons (Morales and Michael), parents (John and Maggie Billy), and siblings (stillborn Sister, John Scott Billy, Mary Billy, Tully Billy, John Begay, John Kenneth Billy).
Ten years ago in 2011, her youngest son and beloved husband of 51 years both passed within a 3 ½ month span. In 2021, her surviving son Michael had an unexpected, sudden death two days prior to her transition. There is no doubt that a powerful bond exists between a parent and a child. The two sets are reunited with their Heavenly Father and loved ones.
Irene was a full-blooded Navajo enrolled citizen of the Navajo Nation. She was from the To’dichii’nii’ (Bitter Water) Clan born for the Táchii'nii (Red Running into the Water) Clan. Her maternal grandmother and mother called her by her Navajo name which translates to “Warrior Woman with Shield” as she was strong, fearless and resilient in character and in life. She attended Chemawa Indian School in the 1950s where she met the love of her life, Sam, and then worked at Chemawa in home living and food service capacities. She retired from Federal Service after a lengthy career. Irene was a longtime resident of Salem and a member of Calvary Baptist Church for 60 years where she was baptized, married and raised four children with her husband.
Irene was very proud to be Native and was deeply rooted in her cultural heritage. She spoke the Navajo language, her first language, fluently on a daily basis with her husband, Sam, and amongst fellow Navajo speakers. She always wanted to be amongst and to celebrate with the Native community whenever and wherever she could all of her life as cultural connection was her Warrior Woman shield.
She was a grandmother and with her husband supported her son Morales and his three children while he was a stay-at-home parent and caregiver to them. When Morales was tragically killed, she and Sam became guardians of his children in order to keep the cultural value of family-centered, alive. Sam’s passing left her a widow, never abandoning her infinite love for her children, grandchildren and in the last three years, great-grandchildren. To her family, she is known as “Shima” (My Mom in Navajo) and the matriarch. In the last few years and in her last days, she was “Warrior Woman with Shield” -- fighting to live – but she lives on in spirit with her legacy through the next generations. She emphasized the Navajo teaching of remembering where you come from, its importance in life and to value connections in life as gifts. She led by that example every day. Today, she lives on in those who were blessed to have met her.
To honor her, a public viewing and live stream will be held Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 12 p.m. to 4 pm at Howell-Edwards-Doerksen Funeral Home in Salem, Oregon. Visit Irene’s Dignity Memorial website to offer condolences and memories for the family and to join live stream.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at Calvary Baptist Church.
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