Irene Ann Weaver passed on October 15, 2024 in Wooster, Ohio. She was in hospice care with small cell lung cancer that had metastasized to other parts of her body.
Irene was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 15, 1947. She was the first born to Albin and Lois Budash. The Budash family moved to New Jersey when Albin obtained a position in the headquarters of the Campbell Soup Company in Camden. Irene and her younger brother, Albin Jr., grew up and attended school in Haddonfield, New Jersey. The family spent many summer vacations on Long Beach Island, and Irene feel in love with the sound, smell and life of the seashore.
After graduation from Haddon Township High School, Irene attended Ohio University, where she pursued her love of literature with an English major and where she met Mark Raymond Weaver. They both gradated in 1970 when there was no graduation ceremony at OU because of student protests following the death of four students at Kent State University.
Irene and Mark were married on Saturday, October 17, 1970, at the Church of St. Vincent Pallotti in Haddonfield. After the wedding reception, they drove to Western Massachusetts because Mark was in graduate school at the University of Massachusetts and had classes on Monday morning. Irene decided to pursue a master’s degree in education at Westfield State University in Westfield, Massachusetts. She obtained her degree and was certified in elementary education and special education or what is now known as intervention specialization in Ohio. Irene began her teaching career as an intervention specialist at Hawley Junior High School in Northampton, Massachusetts.
In the summer of 1978, Irene and Mark moved to Wooster when Mark was offered a position in the political science department at the College of Wooster. Irene began her Ohio teaching career as an elementary intervention specialist at Apple Creek Elementary School. Two years later, she became intervention specialist for grades one through three at Lincoln Way Elementary School in Wooster. Irene eventually moved to the general education program at Lincoln Way, and for several years she team taught sixth grade students with Doris Cantey.
Irene loved working with the Lincoln Way students and staff and decided to retire in 2012 when Lincoln Way Elementary was closed. She spent her retirement spoiling her golden retrievers, enjoying riding her quarter horse Zip, and pursuing her joy in gardening.
Irene is survived by her husband Mark and preceded in death by her parents, her younger brother, and her wonderful aunt and uncle, Anrita and Bill Owens, of Chicago.
There will be no services at this time.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
She was a wonderful teacher and will be missed by all her students.
Irene was so happy when she spent time with her horse Zip. He was treated with such care and lots of attention. She was always quick with a smile and laughed often. She will be greatly missed by all her horse friends.
Our Dear Irene will be soooo missed by her cousins Nancy Africh and Mary Burns. We loved her so so much and loved being a part of those summers at LBI with her Beloved Raymond. She was a dedicated teacher who loved her students. She also loved her Golden’s and Zip her horse. She will be forever missed by Nancy and I. She was such a a devoted wife to Raymond who was truly her Best Friend! I witnessed such a love between Ray and Irene. Our heart breaks for you Ray and you are in our prayers. Heaven will be sweeter with Irene there. Love Mary and Nancy 😢❤️
My cousin Irene was one of the kindest and remarkable women. She gave her life to helping and educating special ed children.
If you were to meet her – her goodness and kindness was very apparent
She was my older cousin but my sisters and I thought of her as our fifth sister
She was always so kind and thoughtful to everyone she met
Earlier in my life I had some health issues and she would always help me feel better with her cards and calls
She’d was always so there to try and lift your mood and make you feel better
My family enjoyed many vacations at the shore with her and her husband Ray
Her love for people and animals was remarkable. She was just a happy person who was always there for others
I will miss u Irene but I know will all be together someday !