Irene Gillespie

FARMINGTON - Irene (Johnson) Gillespie, age 100 of Farmington was born February 27, 1924, in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, the first daughter of Calvin King Johnson and Maggie Mabel (Mills) Johnson, entered her heavenly home on November 7, 2024, at Presbyterian Manor in Farmington.

In March 1945, Irene was united in marriage to Delmar Gardner Gillespie, and they shared 61 years together until he died in 2006. She attended Salem Elementary School and was a graduate of Esther High School and was a lifelong member of Esther Methodist Church where she served in many capacities.

Irene lived most of her life in the Farmington area and worked as a receptionist at Medical Arts Clinic and Missouri State Hospital Outpatient Clinic. After retirement, she continued volunteering at Parkland Health Center until she was forced into retirement during Covid shutdown at the age of 96! She then volunteered at Presbyterian Manor to deliver the daily mail to her fellow residents.

Irene was a loving caregiver to her sister Ruth, and a surrogate mother to her nephew and nieces. She loved quilting and needlework, baking red velvet birthday cakes, making homemade ice cream, and family visits.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her stillborn son, Gary Delmar Gilespie; and three younger sisters, Amanda Ruth Johnson Gallagher, Verna Mae Johnson Skaggs, and Ruby Estelline Johnson Wulfers.

Those left to mourn the passing but cherish the memories of Irene include, her nephew, James Gallagher (Colleen); nieces, Sandra Skaggs Mackley Burchett (Robert), Debora Skaggs Mackley (Kenneth), Pamela Wulfers Portell (Steve), Cynthia Wulfers Alexander (Bryce), Lisa Wulfers, Angela Wulfers Fix; numerous nephews, nieces, and many other relatives and friends also survive.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at 1:00 p.m. at Cozean Memorial Chapel with Dennis Conway officiating. Irene will be laid to rest next to her husband at Hillview Memorial Gardens in Farmington. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Irene to Esther Methodist Church, 501 Jefferson St, Park Hills, MO 63601, or Salem Cemetery Upkeep Committee. Share your memories and condolences at cozeanfuneralhome.com.