Irene Airey, age 87, a resident of Riviera Beach for 55 years, and previously of Baltimore, died on June 19, 2013 at Baltimore Washington Medical Center after a brief illness.

She was born on March 8, 1926, in Baltimore, to the late Constance and Joseph Sparra. After graduating from St. Mary’s Star of the Sea, she worked as a netmaker for the Linen Thread Company for 17 years. She was a member of the Marine Corps League Ladies Auxiliary MCL #1049, Poplar Ridge Seniors, and the Stoney Creek Democratic Club. She enjoyed bingo, travelling to the casinos, taking care of her home, especially outdoor work and gardening, and spending time with her family and friends at Cookies Restaurant.

Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by two sisters: Constance Rose and Dolores Sparra.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 62 years: Emanuel Airey; her brother John Sparra; her sister Doris Comet; and several nieces and nephews.

Family requests friends visit on Sunday and Monday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM at the Gregory J. Gonce Funeral Home, PA, 169 Riviera Dr, Pasadena. The procession will leave the funeral home on Tuesday at 10:30 AM to go to St. Jane Frances Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM. Her burial will follow in Glen Haven Memorial Park. Feel free to express your condolences here as well.