Irene Eleanore Andersen

Irene Eleanore Hennessy Andersen, aged 89, a devoted mother and beloved widow, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2025. Irene leaves behind a legacy of strength, love and kindness that will be cherished by all who knew her.

She is lovingly remembered by her children: Raoul (Lorna), Cindy, and Derek (Jennifer); her nine adoring grandchildren: Paul, Caroline, Ian, Leah, Eirik, Alec, Ingrid, Elodie, and Danica; her sister, Virginia; and her brother, Richard. Irene was predeceased by her devoted husband of 61 years, Raoul, in 2021; her parents, Harold and Helen; and her sister, Marjorie.

Irene was born on October 27, 1935, in Los Angeles, California. Later she moved first to Yuba City and later Berkeley where she fondly remembered picking avocados from her garden as a child. When her father was called up for active duty in World War II in 1942, she moved to Fort Douglas, Utah. She often recalled riding along in a wagon with her mother while they collected coal from the rail line to help heat their home during this time. Following the war, she moved to Winnetka, Illinois.

In 1953, Irene graduated from New Trier Township High School, where she was recognized as a gifted athlete, excelling in multiple sports, including lacrosse, basketball, field hockey and volleyball. Raised in a home full of music, she found joy and expression in playing the flute, a creative outlet that would beautifully complement her later artistic pursuits. Following high school, she earned a diploma in dental hygiene from the University of Wisconsin and later pursued her creative passions at the Ray Vogue School of Design in Chicago. Her talent and eye for design led her to a position at Perkins and Will, a then small architecture firm in Chicago which today has offices around the world.

On April 2, 1960, she married her husband and lifelong partner, Raoul. In support of his work as an anthropologist, Irene embraced a life of exploration and travel. They lived in Columbia (Missouri), Williamsburg (Virginia), and Grand Forks (North Dakota) where their first two children, Randy and Cindy, were born. By 1966, her family made their way east and settled in St. John’s, Newfoundland where her youngest son, Derek, was born. Their family adventures continued with memorable detours to the Canary Islands, Bermuda and Ottawa—each place adding a new chapter to Irene’s rich and adventurous life.

Amid the constant rhythm of resettling in new places with her family, Irene never ceased to explore and hone her remarkable creativity. She was a talented needleworker (sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery). She dabbled in cake decorating and baking including her unforgettably delicious Christmas cookies. As a passionate gardener, she had a natural aptitude for cultivating plants and landscaping with beautiful flowers including her favourite pink peonies. Irene was a lifelong reader of novels of all kinds—her curiosity and imagination always fueled by the written word.

Irene should also be remembered for her kindness, determination, curiosity and natural affability—what some fondly called her “gift of gab”. With warmth and wit, she helped forge lifelong friendships wherever life took her, making everyone feel welcomed and valued.

Even in her final days, Irene’s love remained steadfast. She made sure her sister and best friend Virginia, her dear brother Richard, her children and grandchildren knew just how deeply they were cherished. At Kenny’s Pond Retirement Community, her eyes would light up at the sound of familiar voices including her wonderful and compassionate care workers. Even as her “gift of gab” was fading, her equally expressive eyebrows and gentle touch still conveyed gratitude and affection to those special ones who cared for her.

Irene’s steadfast devotion to family, her resilience and enduring strength, and her graceful spirit will be deeply missed and forever remembered. We will miss you, Mom — more than words can say.

In 2021, Covid-19 cancelled our plans to hold an in-person wake in honour of our father, Dr. Raoul R. Andersen, anthropologist and professor emeritus at Memorial University of Newfoundland. We would encourage all who knew Irene and Raoul to attend our celebration of their lives, which will be held at the Carnell Memorial Chapel on August 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment to follow in the United Church Cemetery, Cupids, NL

Visitation will be held at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Rd., from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Friday, August 29^th.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra at https://nsomusic.ca/support/ would be appreciated.