Irene Hetherman

Irene Hetherman, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt and friend passed away on April 12, 2025 at home.

Irene was a devoted wife to Peter and caring and loving mother to Tom, Suzanne and Kathleen and loving grandma to Celina, Sophia and Kailey and always happy to see them when they could visit.

Irene was born in Glasgow, Scotland.  The second youngest of 9 children.  Her father was a painter and her mom was a full time homemaker.  Two of Irene's sisters had emigrated to Los Angeles.  After their parents died the three youngest girls also emigrated to California.  Irene was 20 years old and started working at an insurance company.  She then met and befriended Ana who had arrived in California from Croatia.  Ana had a boyfriend, Jim...who was Pete's younger brother.  Irene and Pete met at Ana and Jim's wedding rehearsal and were together ever since and got married a year later and celebrated 57 years in November 2024.

Irene and Pete wanted a family so Tom was born 11 months later. Then Suzanne was born 2 years later...a few hours before  the 1971 Sylmar CA earthquake. This was the strongest to hit L.A. in decades.  She had to walk down the stairs evacuate the 14th floor of the hospital...3 miles from the epicenter of the quake.  A strong woman for sure.  After moving to Virginia, a couple of years later for Pete's work, Kathleen was born.  Irene then loved and cared for her three children plus 2 of Pete's cousins Chip and Mark, living with us...all under 8 years old.  But she loved it.

Irene loved to crochet, knit, do crafts and bake cookies and especially pumpkin bread.

Irene developed breast cancer in 2007 and underwent surgery.   It metasticised in 2017 in her spine.  Irene's spine was reinforced with 2 twelve inch metal rods and 12 screws.  She then received radiation to treat the cancer mass.  Over the next 7 plus years she had daily medication and chemo injections every 28 days.  It returned again in April 2025.

Irene loved to sit in the double recliner in the family room where she and Pete could hold hands and have our beloved pet dog, Bonnie, by our side.  Irene never complained and was ready to meet Jesus.  Her wish was to have her guardian angel meet her at home and not in the hospital. She did this with her family.

Irene will be missed but forever loved by all.

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