At her home in Chicago with the strains of Bing Crosby's "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" summoning the last beats of her Irish heart Irene Marie Bittner's life on this Earth ended at noon on September 14, 2022. As she had lovingly and dutifully done for her entire adult life Irene's daughter Renee stood at her mother's side.

Irene was born on January 28, 1928, in Chicago and grew up in LaSalle, but with frequent visits back to her Chicago southside Irish roots, to visit her dear Aunt Marge. As a young woman, Irene's natural beauty did not go unnoticed. At just a young age she was crowned "Baby Illinois". She later went on to be crowned "Miss Dairy Dream Girl" at the Illinois State Fair by none other than Bing Crosby's cinema sidekick Bob Hope with a little help from two-time U.S. Presidential candidate, Adlai Stevenson. Irene graduated from the University of Illinois at a time when female college grads were not a common demographic. Her intellect, wit and astounding memory, which served her until the end, would have readily qualified her for any vocation or profession. Instead, as with most women of her generation, Irene chose a busy life of motherhood raising four children. Renee, Denise, Diane, and Mark

In the latter half of her adult life, Irene ventured around North and Central America with her girlfriends and Renee's family. She relocated to fashionable Cherry Creek in Denver where she managed the elegant Stationery Company. That position was quite fitting given her superb mastery of the now lost art of cursive penmanship, which everyone who ever got a card or note from her will remember. For decades Irene was no stranger to travel as she ventured around a couple continents with Renee's family, including two of her grandchildren Bjorn and Bianca. Europe-Africa-Southeast Asia-UK were some of her destinations. She enjoyed Vietnam and World Heritage sites such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia and the ancient treasures boating on the Nile. However, her all-time favorite trip was the safari in Kenya where she celebrated her 80th birthday with Renee's family.

Not surprising for the daughter of a veterinarian, Irene was always an animal lover her entire life. However, it was only when granddaughter Bianca while living in Florence rescued a stray kitten that Irene became a devoted cat lover. "Nana, we have two dogs. Can you bring Snickers home to live with you in Colorado?" Of course, Irene obliged her favorite granddaughter and Snickers moved to the USA. Later it would be Miss Maggie, who would become her feline shadow until Irene's last breath.

Irene leaves behind many very special friends from Chicago to Denver to Stockholm to Berlin to Glen Lake, Michigan. She also had a history of touching the lives of complete strangers. After researching Irene's family roots for her 60th birthday Renee and Irene traveled to Ireland. It was a quaint little village in County Cork where Irene and Renee had tracked the family clan not long after they had kissed the Blarney Stone. Bearing gifts, they walked into an old man's cottage. Soon it seems that the entire village walked in as well. After having a very fine and happy time with the old man and countless curious villagers, Irene and Renee left. When back in the car Renee questioned, "We weren't related at all were we Mom". "Not at all but we made his day," Irene responded with "smiling Irish eyes". May the eyes of her creator smile on her now and evermore.

In her memory "The Irene Bittner Fund for Senior Cat Care" has been established at the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society. This fund will underwrite a special area for senior cats. Ribbon cutting will be in 2023.

Since she was the consummate party planner and hostess, there was a celebration with some of her favorite cuisine and a champagne toast to her life. The celebration of her life was held at Irene's home on October 15, 2022.