Irene J. Roman

Delmar – Irene J. Roman

On Friday, August 26, 2022, my mother, Irene J. Roman, passed away peacefully in our family home.  Irene was born May 6, 1941, in Albany to Alexander and Frances Roman.  Mom was one of 11 children, growing up on Sheridan Ave. in Albany. Although things were very tough, my Babci (grandmother) made sure that their lives were filled with love and cherished memories, passing on her wonderful qualities to each of them. My mother, like her mother, was nurturing and loving, enjoying the simpler things in life. Our Polish heritage was a key part in their lives, embracing traditions, cooking, holiday feasts and celebrations.

Mom graduated high school from St. Joseph’s Academy. Among her early jobs, she worked at Mack Drugs, doing store resets. She was the kitchen manager at the Polish Community Club and served on the Women’s Auxiliary. Mom would plan their annual Christmas Party, and I remember, as a child, going with her to the toy store and buying hundreds of toys for the event! For the last 35+ years, up until Covid, Mom worked at Capital OTB, and was union treasurer.  She enjoyed playing golf, garage sales in search of treasures, antiquing, watching classic movies, and was an avid reader, mysteries being her favorite. She was a great storyteller, and remembered the smallest of details, going back to her childhood. But above all, her love for her grandchildren, Christopher, Kevin, and Angela White – her “kids”, her “grandbabies”, was the true joy in her life.  My mother played a very special and impactful role in my children’s life. She had a unique and special bond with each, and they were her world; from watching them as newborns while I worked, picking them up from school with bags of afterschool snacks, attending sporting events, graduations, long talks, to being incredibly proud of all their accomplishments, as they became adults.

The last five months were difficult, but they were also the best. We were able to shower her with all the love and care she had given us through the years.  Chris, Kevin, and Angela spent many nights in her room, listening intently, laughing, as she told her childhood stories, and all the memories that they shared together. She loved having us all under one roof. In her words, “it brought life back into the home.”

Mom is now reunited with her parents, as well as her brothers Anthony (Eddie), John, Paul and Frank, and her sister, Mary. She is survived by her siblings Sister Barbara RSM, Frances, George, Paulette, and Charles. Babci will live forever in the hearts of her grandchildren, Christopher, Kevin, and Angela.  Her love, constant and quiet support, and cherished memories will forever live in mine, her only child, Barbara Korzatkowski White.

A special thank you to the nurses at St. Peter’s Hospital for the extraordinary care they provided to my mother. To my Aunt Barbara – your strength, guidance, and support has meant more to me than you know, and I thank you.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, August 31 at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave. Delmar, from 5 to 7 pm.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, September 1, at 10 am at the Convent of Mercy Chapel, 634 New Scotland Ave, Albany. Burial will follow in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie.