INTO ETERNAL LIFE – IRENE ITABASHI

IRENE ITABASHI, 79, passed away on February 6, 2011 in Long Island, N. Y. She was the beloved wife of Masao James Itabashi who pre-deceased her in 1998. She is survived by daughter Ann (Gregory) Swedish; son Jimmy (Jenna), granddaughter Samantha and grandson Benjamin Swedish; she is also survived by brothers, nieces, nephews and many relatives in Maine and the Province of New Brunswick.

She worked at the American Council on Education for 22 years in Washington D. C. until she moved to Long Island in 2003.  She was a very active member in her community; most notable was her work as the Project Director of Project Iraq as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. With community donations she was able to send out almost 800 care packages to troop members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  She will be remembered for her generous heart, ample sense of humor and will be grievingly missed.

A private memorial service was held on June 20, 2011 (which would have been Mas and Irene’s 52nd wedding anniversary) at Evergreen Cemetery.  Mas was an active St. Mary’s parishioner and attended Berendo Jr. High, L. A. High School, Dartmouth and Harvard Colleges. Among his many architectural achievements was his design for the existing Japanese Embassy Chancery, in Washington, D. C.