Irene M. Wilson

Irene Mildred Wilson died peacefully of natural causes at home Oct. 11, 2008. A family celebration will be held next weekend in her honor. She will be toasted with a glass of sherry, lots of laughter and memories of her 93 years.

Wilson was born July 2, 1915 in Cambridge, Mass., and lived the majority of her life in New England. She was married for more than 50 years to the love of her life, Paul R. Wilson, who preceded her in death June 10, 2002.

She was the loving mother of Susan Bigelow of West Hartford, Conn.,  Peter Furber of Pittsford, N.Y., and Sandra Chappel of Wasilla.

Wilson was a longtime UNICEF volunteer in Boston and received the N.S. Committee’s national award for distinguished service.

In  her younger years, she was a superb golfer, tenacious Scrabble player, professional seamstress, avid bridge player, amateur  historian and marvelous cook. She faithfully supported the Red Sox and the Patriots.

While the Wilsons had made 24 previous trips to Alaska, Irene moved permanently to Wasilla in 2007 to be near her daughter. She was proud to have fished every year on the Kenai River, flown in Bush planes at every opportunity, rode 30 miles at age 92 on the back of a snowmachine at Shell Lake, and loved to look at the clouds each day.

Wilson is survived by her children; grandchildren Lisa Jeong, Todd Bigelow, Christin Driscoll, Lara Riley, Michael  Furber, Ryan Furber, Dennelle Seetomona, Christopher Layfield, Laurel Chappel and Lesley Bunch; and 21 great-grandchildren in Connecticut, New York and Alaska.

Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel.