Henrietta M. Irish, 91
Henrietta M. Irish was born as Henrietta Margaret Hellman on June 27, 1927, in Columbia Falls to James and Mary Hellman. She grew up in Kalispell.
She passed away comfortably at home on Jan. 27, 2019, in Oregon. Henrietta was known for her kindness, sweetness and generosity. She will be greatly missed, but is at peace, and has gone on to be with her Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
She is survived by her two daughters, Katherine Hegge of Idaho, and Debra Irish of Oregon; six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; one brother, and two sisters.
She was preceded in death by one daughter and one brother.
Henrietta’s passion was education and teaching. The first grade was her favorite. Her teaching career began in the late 1940s in Havre, in a one-room schoolhouse teaching all eight grades. She later taught third and fourth grades in Stevensville. Her final teaching position was for the first grade in Salmon, Idaho, from 1971 to 1992. She retired in Salmon and lived there until moving to Oregon in 2015.
In retirement she was active in the Saint Charles Catholic Church in Salmon, and at one time was secretary for the Senior Citizens. She was also active in a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, volunteered for respite care with Alzheimer’s patients, and continued to help out in the elementary school. Henrietta participated in the Senior Olympics and won many medals for speed walking.
Her hobbies included gardening, reading, photography and self-education. After retirement she took a Spanish class, taught herself songs on the piano and went through two books on algebra.
Mom, you were a very special person and have contributed to the lives of many. We were blessed to have you as a mother and grandmother, and we will deeply miss you.
A Catholic burial service for Henrietta will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the graveside at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell.
In the very near future, Crown Memorial Center - Cremation & Burial will have a tribute page for Henrietta where a virtual candle can be lit and a sentiment entered: www.ANewTradition.com