Obituary: Leonora C. “Lee” Irish, 86, Coudersport

 

Leonora C. “Lee” Irish          “beloved wife, mother and fur mom” 

COUDERSPORT, PA---Leonora C. “Lee” Irish, 86, a longtime resident of Coudersport, passed away on Sunday, July 28, 2024, in UPMC Cole, Coudersport, after a short illness. 

Born on Tuesday, April 5, 1938 in Norwalk, Connecticut, she was a daughter of Charles R. II and Celia Barbarosa Pennington.  On October 15, 1960 in Norwalk, she married Ferd W. Irish, who passed away on January 9, 2018.  

Lee was a graduate of Norwalk High School in Norwalk, CT and was a graduate of Yale-New Haven Nursing School in New Haven, CT.  She earned her Master’s Degree in Nursing from Alfred University.  

After her marriage and relocating to Coudersport,  Lee was employed as a private duty Registered Nurse taking care of Charles Cole at the former Potter County Hospital in Coudersport.  She then was employed at the hospital and after the completion of the “new hospital” was head nurse for many years in the Emergency Room.  She was then instrumental in writing the policies and procedures for the Short Procedure Unit (SPU) running that department for many years until her retirement at the hospital.  After her retirement from the hospital, she became Dr. Miller’s nurse at the Potter County Health Center until finally retiring from healthcare.  She had recently served as Sweden Township Auditor.  She, for many years, served as Judge of Elections on the election board in Sweden Township.  It goes without saying that as a potato farmer’s wife, she was there to help her beloved husband in any way possible on the farm.  

Lee was a member of the former St. Bibiana Catholic Church in Galeton and was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America Court Doyle 932 in Coudersport where she had previously served as treasurer.  She was a former member of Potter County Hospice where she also served on the Board of Directors.  She served on many volunteer associations’ Board of Directors, including the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Ulysses and also the Coudersport Public Library where she was active in their auctions.  She was a devoted wife, mother and fur mom.  Her compassion covered not only humans but animals of all kinds.  She had a love of all animals.  Lee was a voracious reader. At the age of 55, she proudly completed the NYC Marathon.

 She was a woman of great faith, finding comfort and strength in her beliefs throughout her life. 

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Wayne J. Irish of Coudersport; a brother, Charles R. (Mae) Pennington III of Norwalk, CT; a sister-in-law, Elaine Rife of The Dalles, Oregon; three nieces; and her two cats, Bennie and Samson.

 Lee was predeceased by her parents and husband. 

Friends may call from 9:30am to 11am on Monday, August 5, 2024, at the gathering space of St. Eulalia Catholic Church, 6 Maple Street, Coudersport.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am in the church with The Rev. Joseph Dougherty, as celebrant.  Burial will be in Sweden Hill Cemetery, Coudersport. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Lee’s name may be made to Teacher’s Pet Rescue, 19 Blackberry Lane, Coudersport, PA 16915 or to the Coudersport Public Library, 502 Park Avenue, Coudersport, PA 16915. 

Lee entrusted her care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse. 

To express condolences, light a candle, or share a fond memory of Lee, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.