Irene A. Corrow

MT. JULIET TENNESSE-Irene Antoinette (Brien) Corrow, 102, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee and formerly of Barre, Vermont died peacefully in her sleep on August 27, 2024. Irene was born on August 2, 1922, the oldest of 11 children, to Euclid and Lena Brien in Newport, Vermont where she attended Sacred Heart Catholic School, graduating in 1936. On October 23, 1941, she married Bernard C. Corrow of Coventry, Vermont. They were married for 55 years, until Bernard’s death in 1996. Irene and Bernard had two sons, William and David. Irene had quite a gift for languages. French was her first language, owing to her upbringing on the Canadian border by a Quebecois-speaking family, and her attendance at French-speaking Catholic school. When her husband was later stationed in Germany for the Korean war, she joined him there and was also able to gain fluency in German in a few short years. Even as old age made it harder for her to hear and speak, she was always eager to converse with any French or German speaker she could find. Due to her husband’s service in the US Army, Irene lived all over the country, including Texas, Georgia, Virginia, Wisconsin, eventually settling in New York, where he worked as an electrician, and she worked as head cook for the local school district. In 1985 they retired to Barre, Vermont where Irene lived until 2015 when she decided she was ready for the warmer winters of Tennessee. Irene loved life. She took every opportunity she could to travel and see the world, including cruises, extended trips to Europe, and road trips around the US. She collected plates from every place she visited, eventually covering an entire wall in her kitchen with an eclectic set of memories. She loved to sing and sang for several years in the choir at St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Barre as well as community choirs in Tennessee. She made friends everywhere she went with her infectious laugh, sharp wit, mostly true stories, and generous hospitality. She will be deeply missed by her friends and family. Irene is survived by her sons William (Laura), and David; her granddaughter Ellie; great-grandson Andrew; sisters Bette Cyr and Jackie Brien; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding Irene in death are husband Bernard; parents Lena and Euclid; and eight brothers and sisters. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024, from 9:00-10:30 am at Pruneau Polli Funeral Home, 58 Summer Street in Barre. A Mass of Christian burial to celebrate Irene’s life will be held on Friday October 25, 2024, at 11:00 am at St Monica Catholic Church, 79 Summer Street, in Barre. Burial will follow to Hope Cemetery in Barre. Arrangements are in the care of Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home in Barre, Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at: www.pruneaupollifuneralhome.com

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Irene A. Corrow

August 2, 1922 - August 27, 2024