Obituary of Irene Mareno

SCHENECTADY- Irene Mareno, 80, of Rosa Road, passed away Tuesday evening, July 13, 2010, at Ellis Hospital. She was surrounded with great love by her cherished family. Irene was born in Schenectady on July 15, 1929, the daughter of the late Sigmund and Jane Balcer Gorzynski. She was educated in Schenectady schools. For 35 years she was employed by the former Mohawk Club on North Church Street in Schenectady. Devoting her entire career to the Mohawk Club, Irene began to work as a waitress, subsequently becoming a hostess and bartender, prior to assistant manager. A truly active and exuberant woman, she participated in the Sunnyview Mixed Bowling League for many years, enjoyed casinos, especially Atlantic City, Mohegan Sun, and Las Vegas, and was a passionate fan of the New York Yankees. Irene also loved to take yearly vacations with her family to Maine, drive her grandchildren to and from school, and prepare exquisite Sunday family dinners, including her delicious eggplant and Civitello's spumoni. Irene was predeceased by a son, Richard Mareno, who passed away in September of 1999; brother, Sigmund "Jr" Gorzynski; and a great-grandson, Andrew Mareno. Survivors include her dearly beloved husband of 62 years, Ralph A. Mareno, whom she married in 1947; children, Ralph J. Mareno and his wife Linda of Ballston Lake, Carol Caruso and her husband Michael of Schenectady, and Joseph Mareno and his wife Debbie of Lufkin, TX; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Mareno of Schenectady; grandchildren, Shelley Mareno, Richard Mareno, Michael C. Mareno, Steven Mareno, Teresa LaBounty, Christopher Caruso, Angela Caruso, Jeremy Mareno, Zachary Mareno, Brittany Douthit, and Jeffery Hogbin; great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Mia Mareno, Mikayla LaBounty, Cullin and Matthew Mareno; brother, Joseph Gorzynski and his wife Charlene of Beaufort, SC; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held Saturday morning at 9:15 A.M. from the Daly Funeral Home, 242 McClellan Street, Schenectady, then to Our Lady of Fatima Church, Rosa Road, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 A.M. Interment will follow the Mass in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Daly Funeral Home Friday from 5 to 8 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made in Irene's memory to Community Hospice of Schenectady, 1411 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308.