With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our mom, Irene Tedeschi (nee Mankiewicz) , of Skillman, NJ on November 14, 2024, at age 93. Irene was born October 12, 1931. She grew up in Bloomfield, NJ and was a child of the Depression era. Her parents, Chester and Laura emigrated from Poland. Chester worked at the Eastwood Wire Manufacturing Company and Laura cleaned houses and worked as a seamstress. They lived in a two-bedroom apartment beside a butcher shop. Irene and her older brother Richard attended St. Valentine School and later, Bloomfield High School. Irene had a great sense of humor and regularly entertained us with stories from her childhood, such as when her father showed up after work one day with a dog in tow, much to her mother's dismay. Named 'Pal', the dog brought Irene much happiness as did the numerous cats she had over the years, named either Tabby-Jo or Princess. Other stories included her brother's silly tales about the nuns at school and how she and her best friend pretended to be the Andrew Sisters, performing their greatest hits. After high school, Irene worked as a secretary in a law office. She met our father, David, while attending a dance at the Spar Club in Elizabeth. They married in June 1952. The very next day, they left by train headed for Utah where he would earn his doctorate in pharmacology. During those years, our Mom recounted when they returned east for the holidays, they hid from their parents the fact that they flew on an airplane, since air safety was not what it is today, and they did not want their parents to worry.

Irene and David divorced in 1971. Irene single handedly raised her children, cooking, cleaning, shopping, all while working full time. Irene loved language, reading, writing and theater as well as classical music and opera. Her thrift and saving were a legacy to us all. She loved cats, animals, the season changes, thunderstorms, and spending time with her two granddaughters. Her love of trains, antiques and flea markets was handed to her children.

Irene is survived by her three children, Paul, Douglas (Kathy), Linda (John), her two granddaughters, Lucia and Gianna, her dear aide, Elizabeth and her cat, Mei-Ling. We will miss her greatly. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to Stein Hospice, 354 Demott Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873 or online: http://www.wilfcampus.org/ or to Royce's Animal Rescue in Richboro, PA.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Service Saturday, December 7, 2024, beginning at 1:00 PM at Stonebridge at Montgomery, 100 Hollinshead Spring Road, Skillman, NJ 08558