Irene E Gallagher

Irene (Vaughn) Gallagher, "Nana" Irene, my Nana, was the soul of Bend. Family, friends, and neighbors know she was a compassionate, enduring, caring, independent and witty human being. In the words of her long time neighbor, she was pure goodness! Irene passed the night of February 23rd, 2023 at 96 years old and was surrounded by loved ones in her final days. In her own words, here is Irene's story. "Irene was born in Bend, Ore on Nov. 17, 1926. Her parents were Samuel and Mary Vaughn, who baptized her in the Catholic faith, a gift she treasured throughout her life. She was raised by her father and her precious caregiver Alice, who was Irene's Nana. She attended St. Francis of Assisi Parish on 27th St. and was a member of The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, the Altar Society, and volunteer at the Catholic Center. If wished, contributions can be made to Saint Francis School or The Boys & Girls Club in Bend, Ore. In 1944 Irene graduated from Bend High School and moved to Portland, Ore. Later she moved back to Bend to work for the Army Ordinance Shop until it closed after the war, and then worked for the Bend Rexal Drug Store. In 1946 she was hired by the Bend Hardware Co., a wholesale business, and the May Hardware Co. of Portland, Ore. Her office work required CDB bookkeeping skills, plus hiring and training office personnel. Irene worked with this company for 36 years. After retirement, she lived in Portland once again and enjoyed concerts and shopping. She later returned to Bend and enjoyed skiing with her pal Doris, swimming, tennis, biking, hiking, dancing, hunting and fishing. When traveling with church groups, trips were made to Italy, the Vatican, Israel and Ireland. She also spent a month in Australia with her dear friend Mary from Central America. When travelling with with her husband Ron, trips were made to Mexico, Alaska, and Canada. Over the years, reading was always a must. Irene was a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority, a volunteer at Lava Lands Visitor Center, and Easter Seal chairman to Deschutes County. In later years, trips were made to the little town of Gold Beach, Ore., on the Rogue River, on the beautiful southern coast. Irene is survived by her son Fredrick Gallagher, grand daughters Hailey and Molly Gallagher, their mother Ann, and stepmother Paula. Her nieces Mary, Jeanne and Alice from her brother Gary and Geraldine Vaughn, her nephews David and Gary from her sister Dorothy and Byron Snyder, and the families of Wilbur Sholes and Roland Gallagher. She had a close relationship with her late brother Jack "Sarge" Vaughn and many special cousins (Ben Vaughn living in Libby, Montana, and the late Austin Vaughn, Linda, Jack and Jane Jordan) and her grade school pal of 75 years, Johanne Nordby. She valued all of her friends of many years, kind neighbors, and friendly employees in downtown Bend." We love and miss you Nana.

Tributes

Irene E Gallagher

November 17, 1926 - February 23, 2023