Mary Jane Irwin
Mary
Jane (Chappell) Irwin passed away on June 8,
2011, at her home in Kirkland, Washington.
Celebration of Mary Irwin’s life here on earth
will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at United
Methodist Church, with interment following in
Grandview Cemetery.Momma was born in Burleigh County, North Dakota. She was born the middle child of eight children to Claude W. and Shirley Welch Chappell. The family moved to Kingsbury County, South Dakota, in Momma’s adolescent years. God, siblings, school, and horses were the focus of Momma’s youth. Momma always had the gift to memorize poetry and stories and shared that gift by reciting to family and friends to the end of her life here on earth.
Momma married Daddy, William Story Irwin, November 11, 1933. Their honeymoon was a move to North Idaho. Momma raised five children; William, James, Austin, Ernest, and Jennifer.
Momma was talented at all aspects of homemaking. Caring for her family, cooking, baking, and crafting kept Momma always busy. If there was a new craft, Momma would take a hand at it. Her hand work and sewing were gifts to many. She made wedding dresses, wedding cakes, Canadian sweaters, and cowboy shirts, you name it.
Momma worked beside Daddy at keeping the farm and the furniture/floor covering store they had from 1952-1984. After selling their business, Momma was the Evergreen School cook for several years. She loved the kids and took joy in having warm brownies ready for the kids as they got off the school bus.
Momma was a 50 year member of Rebeccas, a member of Eastern Star, Royal Neighbors, and the Senior Center, where she was the treasurer for years. Daddy and Momma were charter members of the Methodist church. Later years they took joy in being active in the Community Church.
In 1991, Momma sold the family farm on the North Bench, where she'd lived since 1946. Momma moved to a comfortable mobile home in Sunset Mobile Home Park. She so much enjoyed her close friends in the park. Momma was always on the go. She’d leave home for the Senior Center at 9 a.m. and hopefully would be home by 2 p.m. for a nap. For years she loved being a Senior Companion.
In 2006, Momma moved to Kirkland to be with daughter, Jennifer, and her husband, Glenn. There she spent time visiting grandchildren and great grandchildren. Momma became a special friend to the neighborhood children. They called her Mrs. Mary and made special gifts for her, as she would share stories with them about when she grew up as a little girl.
In 2009 Momma moved to an Adult Family Home in Kirkland. She was fairly independent and continued to visit family. Momma never went out of her room without her hair and make-up perfect. Momma said to the end “I can’t give up." Until the last week, she needed to get something done. “What will we feed everyone?” “I can help you with that,” “Let’s get it done and in a hurry."
Momma was preceded in death by her mother, father, four sisters, two brothers, husband William, beloved son Ernest, and four great-grandchildren.
Momma leaves behind a sister, four children, four daughters in law, one son in law, 17 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren, seven great great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss her dearly. We rejoice in the promise we will meet in that great home faraway with Jesus.
Memorials instead of flowers may be given to the Seattle Children’s Cystic Fibrosis Research: Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation Cystic Fibrosis Research PO Box 5371 MS S200 Seattle, WA 98145-5005.