Irene K. Fenton

PORTLAND - Irene K. Fenton, 88, of Portland, died August 23, 2013 at The Cedars with her loving family by her side. She was born September 16, 1924 in Birmingham, England, a daughter of James P. and Elizabeth Hodges Kelly. Irene graduated from Oratory School in Birmingham, England and then attended business school in England. Irene met her husband Joseph during WWII . Irene was walking her dog during a black out one night, when the dog's leash accidently wrapped around Joe's legs. They married in Birmingham, while Joe was still in the Army Air Corps. Following the war, they moved to the United States and raised their family. When first married they lived in Libby town on 'old' Douglas St. with Joe's family. In 1966, she began working as an Education Technician for the Portland School Department. She worked for over 25 years at many Portland schools including Lyseth and Reiche School. She was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church. Irene was one of many war brides residing in Portland after the war. She and others joined a group of English War Brides who met regularly. She loved to travel and did so extensively throughout the world with her daughter Patricia. Although her dream of returning to England to live was never fulfilled, she made sure that her five sons and daughter as well as some grandchildren visited England. Irene was predeceased by her husband Joseph in 1979; her daughter, Patricia in 1994; a son, Gregory in 2008; a sister, Pauline Gee in 2008, and a granddaughter, Ashley Fenton in 2003. Surviving are: four sons, Michael Fenton and his wife Susan of Gorham, Joseph Fenton of Springfield, MO, John Fenton and his wife Linda of Portland, Mark Fenton and his wife Kimberly of Gray; fourteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Visiting hours will be held from 4-7 p.m., Monday, August 26 at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited at 11:15 a.m., Tuesday at the funeral home, followed by a Noon Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph's Church, 673 Stevens Avenue, Portland. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations in Irene's memory may be sent to: Animal Refuge League, PO Box 336, Westbrook, Maine 04098 or American Heart Association, 51 US Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, Maine 04074.Online condolences may be expressed below.