Irene A. (Whitehouse) Howard, 89, of Dennis formerly a longtime resident of West Boylston, passed away Friday, September 9, 2011 at Cape Cod Hospital.

Her loving husband of 42 years, William H. Howard died in 1981. She leaves her loving children, Joan D. Howard of Dennis and Lois A. Vendt of Whitefield, NH; four grandchildren, Rev. Kevin Vendt of Reading, Eric Vendt of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Joel and Jonathan Vendt both of Salem, NH; two great grandchildren, Sean and Cate Vendt.

Irene was born in Worcester the daughter of Rueben E. and Hester A. (Ogilvie) Whitehouse. She worked at State Mutual for many years retiring in 1981. Irene was a past member of Woman’s Missionary Guild at Belmont St. Baptist Church in Worcester, the West Boylston Woman’s Club, Garden Club, Senior Citizens, the Historical Society and the Women’s Auxiliary Aletheia Grotto in Worcester.

A graveside service for Irene will be held on Tuesday, September 13 at 12:30 PM at Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richards Ave. (Rte 56), Paxton. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Irene’s name may be made to the Jimmy Fund c/o Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168, honoring Aaron Gray’s continued fight with Cancer. Arrangements are under the care of FAY BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 1 W. Boylston St., W. Boylston, MA 01583.