Irene McAlister Wilkins

May 23,1930 - January 10,2025

"Heaven is here on earth … it's what you make of your life here."

After 94 wonderful trips around the sun, Irene Wilkins passed away peacefully on Friday, January 10, 2025, in Morrisville, Vermont in her beloved home surrounded by the love of her dear family. She leaves behind her children Colin Wilkins and wife Ellen from Ashland, NH, Laurie Neal from Hooksett, NH, Valerie Wilkins and husband Dean from Jericho, VT, Glenn Wilkins Jr. and wife Kirsten from Colchester, VT; her grandchildren Veronica, Ryan, Matthew, Michelle, Brayden, and Hanna; and her sister Jean Feather and the McAlister clan in New Hampshire.

In her later years, our Mom often said, "I am truly blessed." She was grateful for her children and the many wonderful people and experiences she got to enjoy over the years.

Irene was born on a farm in West Deering, New Hampshire in 1930. She worked hard alongside her parents, two brothers, and sister but always found time for her schoolwork, earning valedictorian of her high school class. At the urging of her mother Nellie, she went on to Keene Teacher's College and became a home economics teacher. She loved her students, first at Peoples Academy in Morrisville and then at Hillsboro High School in New Hampshire. She had great fun teaching both girls and boys the basics of cooking, sewing, and managing a home.

While teaching in Morrisville, she met her husband, Glenn Wilkins, who worked at the local post office. After a six-year courtship, and many trips between Vermont and New Hampshire, they were married in 1959 and over the next 10 years welcomed their four children to their home in the lively, family-oriented neighborhood of Fairwood Parkway. Her "Yoo-hoo" became a familiar sound in the neighborhood as she summoned her children home for supper at the end of the day. When Glenn passed unexpectedly in 1976, Irene courageously carried on, always putting her children first.

Morrisville was a wonderful place for Mom to get involved with community groups. Over the years, Irene enjoyed the friends she made through the Women's Club, Home Extension, the Grange, Girl Scouts, and the Cemetery Association. Later in life, she took up golf and learned to play the guitar. But one of her greatest joys was the folks at Copley Hospital who became her second family for over 40 years. Whether in the gift shop, at the front desk, or hosting the bake sale, Irene always enjoyed exchanging smiles and stories with the wonderful staff and patients.

One of our Mom's favorite sayings, displayed on the front of a well-worn sweater, was "Live well, Laugh often, Love much." For her 94 years of life, Irene did her best to live this saying. We, her children, are extremely grateful to all of you who helped bring meaning, joy, and comfort to our Mom throughout her long and blessed life. We especially appreciate her caring neighbors, Ted and Jill Haas, and the many wonderful people in the neighborhood who stopped to chat with her in the "Hangout."

Our Mom loved the moon and the stars; she was particularly awestruck by the total eclipse of the sun in April 2024. Though she will no longer be making her annual trip around the sun, she will continue to orbit around us in our many fond memories of her.

A memorial celebration will be held in the Spring. If you wish to make a donation in Irene's memory, please consider the Copley Hospital Auxiliary, Lamoille County Home Health and Hospice, or Meals on Wheels of Lamoille County.

Please visit her memorial website and feel free to share your memories,

https://sites.google.com/view/irenewilkinsinmemoriam/obituary.