Irene Blakely

Irene Mae Blakely ran into the arms of Jesus Friday March 1, 2024.

She passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 88 while residing in McKinney Texas.

Irene was born March 26, 1935 to Gayle and John W Stewart in Joplin Missouri. A survivor of childhood Polio, she over came many limitations through sheer determination and strong will. 

Irene graduated from Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach, Class of 1953. Soon after she would marry the love of her life Andrew J. Blakely Jr, affectionately known as Andy on March 20, 1956 in Palm Springs California at the tender age of 20.  The first time Andy had seen Irene she was working in her parent’s restaurant after school.  It was a chance meeting and love at first sight. Andy rented the shop next to the restaurant simply for the opportunity to see Irene everyday.

Andy would bring with him to their marriage two young children Andy II and Lance. Irene welcomed them with a tender heart and open arms and she happily become their mother. She and Andy went on to have 5 more children together Kim, Rod, Linda, Kathleen and Kevin. 

Irene was known as a great mom and a kind and loving wife to Andy. A nurturing soul always there for others with a compassionate  heart a loving ear and with the little resources she had she would assist nieces, nephews and friends in times of need.

Along side her husband Irene helped to champion a cause to provide for rent control and better living conditions for the under served living at the Carmelitas housing projects in Long Beach Ca. 

Irene handled the landscapes of her life and all its challenges with beauty and grace. She will be deeply missed by not only her family but all who knew her.

She is preceded in passing by her Parents John and Gayle Stewart, her loving husband of 35 years Andrew Jackson Blakely Jr, sons Andrew Jackson Blakely II, Lance Hamilton Blakely, and her precious granddaughter Jeana Marie Garcia, son in law John Edward Garcia Sr.

She is survived by her children, 

Kim J Blakely( Gloria ), Rod Blakely ( Leticia) Linda Garcia, Kathleen Allen, Kevin S Blakely (Sandy) 

Grandchildren, 

Andrew, Christopher, David, Sheila, Angela, Rebecca “Becky”, Adriana, Andrew, Leisa, Sara, John Jr “Eddie”, Ashleigh, Ariel, Amanda, Kevin Jr, Destiny, Sierra. 

And the fullness of 17 Great Grandchildren