Irina Viorica Berinde Roman

Irina Viorica Berinde Roman, 57, was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Grigore (Greg) Roman, 54 (2021); her devoted mother, Maria Berinde (2026); her loving father, Vasile Berinde (c. 1974); and her sister, Maria Berinde (1967–1973). She leaves behind her first cousins, Viorel Grigore Berinde of Austria; Vasile Daniel Berinde Lohan of Austria; Lucia Irina Berinde of Melbourne, Australia; and Ion Berinde of Romania.

Irina and Grigore were both born in Romania and married there before immigrating together to the United States, where they became proud American citizens. They made their home on Chicago’s Far North Side in the Rogers Park neighborhood for more than 25 years. Irina especially loved the walks she and Grigore shared along Lake Michigan. They were members of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

Irina was highly accomplished and deeply committed to education and professional development. She attended West University of Timișoara, College of Economics and Law, in Romania, with a degree in Economics and Business Administration. She also pursued studies at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.

Throughout her professional career, Irina earned several certifications, awards, and professional memberships. She was an 18-year member of the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) and received recognition in IAAO Standards of Professional Practice and Ethics. Her professional affiliations also included the Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and Illinois Women in Property Taxation. She received recognition from the American Bankers Association for studies in AIB Banking, Finance, and Mortgage Lending. She also earned Paralegal Certification, held an Illinois Real Estate Broker License, and was a Certified Illinois Assessing Officer (CIAO).

Irina spent nearly a decade in the early part of her career working as an accounting associate in the banking and retail industries, as well as a real estate agent. In 2003, she joined Raila & Associates, a property tax law firm located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, where she served for 23 years as a Residential Property Tax Analyst and Public Policy Consultant.

Her coworkers knew Irina as intelligent, curious, dedicated, and extraordinarily knowledgeable. She was often the person colleagues turned to for information about property tax policies, procedures, and new legislation at both the local and national levels. Her professionalism and extensive knowledge earned her the respect of coworkers and colleagues throughout the fields of real estate assessment and property taxation.

Irina will be deeply missed by her family, friends, coworkers, and the many professional colleagues whose lives she touched throughout her career.

Interment will take place at the Old Christian Cemetery in Negrești-OAS, Romania, where Irina will be laid to rest alongside her husband, mother, and sister.