Irene Rich
December 13, 1932 – October 12, 2021
Irene Lucille (Willett) Rich, of Sun City Center, Fla., passed away Oct. 12, 2021. Irene was born on Dec. 13, 1932, in Buffalo, N.Y., to the late Edward J. Willett and Anna (Bevilacqua) Willett. She graduated from Rosary Hill College in 1954 with a B.A. in English and a minor in French. She received her master’s degree in education from the University of Buffalo in 1959.
Irene taught and held various roles in both print journalism and public relations. Irene met and married the love of her life, Bill Rich, in Buffalo, New York. They later moved to Basking Ridge, New Jersey, where she continued to teach and expand her career as a writer and editor. In 1987, Irene and her husband Bill formed their own company, a money mailer direct mail franchise that specialized in advertising and marketing consulting. They retired to Florida in 2002. Irene was an avid reader, TV and movie buff. She loved traveling, languages, art and food - especially baked goods - the running joke in the family is that “She never met a jelly donut she didn’t like!” She enjoyed making friends, cooking and attending and hosting gatherings. Irene enjoyed living life, surrounded by her husband, children, grandchildren, family and friends as well as Sandy - her beloved cockapoo.
Irene is survived by her son, Clifford (Natalie) Rich; son, Douglas (Tracy) Rich; her grandchildren, Olivia Rich, Allison, Kaitlyn and William Rich; she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 40 years, William E. Rich.
Irene’s funeral Mass will be held at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Sun City Center, Florida, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 19. A reception with light refreshments will follow the Mass.
Irene was passionate about AmVets ( <a href="https://amvets.org/">https://amvets.org/</a> ) and the Humane Society (<a href="https://www.nationalhumane.com">https://www.nationalhumane.com</a>/. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made in Irene’s memory to either organization.
Irene taught and held various roles in both print journalism and public relations. Irene met and married the love of her life, Bill Rich, in Buffalo, New York. They later moved to Basking Ridge, New Jersey, where she continued to teach and expand her career as a writer and editor. In 1987, Irene and her husband Bill formed their own company, a money mailer direct mail franchise that specialized in advertising and marketing consulting. They retired to Florida in 2002. Irene was an avid reader, TV and movie buff. She loved traveling, languages, art and food - especially baked goods - the running joke in the family is that “She never met a jelly donut she didn’t like!” She enjoyed making friends, cooking and attending and hosting gatherings. Irene enjoyed living life, surrounded by her husband, children, grandchildren, family and friends as well as Sandy - her beloved cockapoo.
Irene is survived by her son, Clifford (Natalie) Rich; son, Douglas (Tracy) Rich; her grandchildren, Olivia Rich, Allison, Kaitlyn and William Rich; she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 40 years, William E. Rich.
Irene’s funeral Mass will be held at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Sun City Center, Florida, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 19. A reception with light refreshments will follow the Mass.
Irene was passionate about AmVets ( <a href="https://amvets.org/">https://amvets.org/</a> ) and the Humane Society (<a href="https://www.nationalhumane.com">https://www.nationalhumane.com</a>/. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made in Irene’s memory to either organization.