Irene Martha Zakowski Orwat

It is with a very heavy heart that we said our final goodbye to our dear mom and grandma at 5:26pm on March 31, 2023. Our Lord and His angels came for her exactly one year to the day, and almost the same hour that dad died March 31, 2022.
Irene was born on March 5, 1926, to Stephen and Martha Zakowski in Buffalo, New York. She attended schools in Buffalo, and St. Luke's Catholic church where she spoke both English and Polish.
She was introduced to Edmund by her bother Henry. Irene and Edmund were married on June 26, 1952.
Irene stayed home raising her 3 children while Edmund worked and then completed building the home they lived in. Irene was very talented as a seamstress which included tailoring suits, making drapery, upholstery and millinery (designing and making beautiful hats). Irene also was a successful gardener with vegetables, herbs as well as flowers. She was active in a local garden club winning awards at the State Fair, women's club at St. Gabriel's parish and 4-H club, and volunteering for local political activities. Almost above all was her talents in the kitchen. Food was prepared with love, always home-made and "over the top" when it came to holiday or special dinners. Irene always took great pride in her appearance, always looking stylish wherever she went.
When the children were out of elementary school, Irene decided to work at a bank, then assistant in a podiatry office and finally in medical records at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
One thing for sure, you never wondered where you stood with Irene. She spoke her mind. But without saying, all knew her love for each of us was genuine and deep.
After living in Elma, NY for the next 62 years, at the ages of 86 and 88, Irene and Edmund moved to Tulsa, OK. to be near their daughter to care for them as they aged.
Irene is predeceased by her parents, brother Henry, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is survived by daughter Cheryl Ashley (Michael); son, Dexter (Paula); son, Brian (Charlene) and grandchildren Reanne, Megan, Mallory, Lexie, Bianca, Moriah, Adam, Andrew; great-grandchildren Connor, Cameron and Landon.
Funeral services will be on May 22, 2023 at 10:00 at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church, Tulsa, OK with internment at St. Bernard's columbarium.