South Yarmouth, MA: At the age of 87, Irene Ella Joy passed away peacefully on Saturday July 28th, at Brigham & Women’s Hospital after a brief illness.

Irene was born on March 5th, 1931, to Mary McKenney and Ruel Joy in Patten, Maine. Irene and family eventually moved to the Cape in the 1950s. During her employment in Massachusetts, she worked at the Weymouth Naval Air Station, followed by Otis Air force Base, and eventually the Town of Barnstable, retiring as the Assistant Town Treasurer.

“Rene”, as she was known by her family, was pre-deceased by her brothers, Stanley Joy and Gerald Joy. Irene leaves behind various family members in Maine, as well as Cape Cod relatives: her niece, Bonnie Stout, great nieces Kristin Ryan and her husband, Tom, and Kim Kent, great nephew, Shaun Stout, great-great nieces, Melissa Calhoun and her husband, Brett , Emily Ryan, Amanda Ryan and Jessica Kent; great-great nephew, Michael Kent and his wife, Erica; as well as great-great-great niece, Bailey Kent, and great-great-great nephews, Brady, Ryan & Cody Calhoun.

Rene will always be remembered for her “love of life”. She was forever the optimist. Most important to her was time with family and family gatherings. For someone who had no children of her own, she was the pillar of the family.

Irene was an amazing woman and will be greatly missed.

Sincerest thanks to those who took care of her most recently at South Dennis Healthcare, Maplewood of West Yarmouth, as well as the medical staff at Brigham & Women’s Hospital.

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