Submitted by: Dan Rich

Irene M. Hess

Jan 17, 1907 - May 19, 2005

South Bend Tribune 5/21/2005

Irene M. Hess left this earth to be with our heavenly Father and her only true love, Marquess on May 19, at 10:30 a.m. Irene was born in Chicago on January 17, 1907, to Joseph and Marianna Hmieleski. The family moved to Otis, Indiana, in 1909, where Irene's mother died in 1910. They moved to South Bend in 1912 where they resided on Laurel St. It was at that location where the family operated a grocery store called "White Eagle Grocery". Irene attended St. Hedwig Elementary School and St. Joseph Academy, graduating in 1926. She attended St. Mary's for one year, and then began teaching school at St. Adalbert's where she taught until 1932.

In 1932, Irene married Marquess Hess. They moved to Dayton St. on the south side of South Bend, where she lived for 52 years. Marquess died in the spring of 1944 leaving Irene to raise their three boys. Irene retired from the National Bank in 1974 and lived the remainder of her life taking care of her flowers.

Since April of 2004, Irene has been a patient at the Holy Cross Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Preceding Irene in death are her husband, Marquess in 1944; a sister, Jeanne Mack in 1990; a son, Donald in 1999; a granddaughter, Laura in 1981; and by two great grandchildren, Desiree in 2001 and Nicholas Sherbun in 2003. Surviving are her sons, John J. (Mary) and Thomas T. (JoEllen), daughter-in-law, Norma, ten grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at St. Matthew Cathedral on Monday, May 23, 2005. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. with a memorial service to follow immediately at 10 a.m. The family has suggested that memorial donations might be given to Hospice of St. Joseph County or Bishop Crawley Education Endowment of St. Matthew Cathedral. Arrangements are being handled by the McGann Funeral Home, University Area Chapel, 2313 E. Edison Rd., South Bend, Ind.