Irene Evelyn Thomas Birch passed away Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010.

Irene was born in Oroville to Kitty Holbert Thomas and Sylvan Thomas on Aug. 6, 1921. She attended school in Oroville graduating in 1939. She married Glen Birch in Okanogan June 5, 1939. They had five children and Irene was a stay at home mom until the youngest child was in junior high school. She worked in the local packing sheds, she was Bridgeport City Clerk in the early 1970’s. She was a postal clerk and worked at Chief Joseph Dam. One of her interests was quilting and she made lots of different log cabin style quilts. She was active in the American Legion Auxiliary until the unit disbanded in Bridgeport. She and husband Glen enjoyed camping and belonged to Good Sam’s group.

She leaves behind four daughters: Kay Wuest of Spokane, Patricia (Denny) Pittman of Bridgeport, Lynda (Glen) Allen of Brewster and Susan Birch of Auburn, Wash; and her cousin Bonnie Smith of Tonasket. She had 12 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 65 years; one son; one grandson; one granddaughter; one great granddaughter and two brothers.

Per her final wishes there will be no funeral. A private memorial for family will be held at a later date.