I met Irene after she had retired from NASA and she attended the monthly Scrapbook Crop I hosted in Melbourne Village. We had the best conversations. From Star Trek, to sci fi movies, to Space exploration, to social issues, to health issues, to family issues and of course, our love for making home made cards, and crafty things. My parents and Husband would often be at the Crops and always enjoyed their conversations with 'Miss Irene', as we fondly called her. One funny memory was, after Irene met my parents, she knew she had met them before. After a lot of detective work, she figured it out- my folks use to do Craft shows after they had both retired from Gruman Aerospace(they worked on the Apollo Program at KSC) and Irene had bought a doll from my mom. She remembered them because they had her come in and sit down and they talked for a good long time.
Irene was one of the most down to earth, caring, interesting, and easy person to talk to, I have ever met. Humble and independent. She had an amazing career with NASA as Chief Medical Officer at KSC. She worked hard against many odds. Her accomplishments are amazing and I hope will inspire others to pursue their dreams of a future in space exploration.
I am thankful for the friendship we shared, and time we had together. I now pray that her spirit is at peace with Jesus, and she is extremely happy in heaven.
With much love and prayer.