Irene A. (Waclawski) Olewinski

Irene A. (Waclawski) Olewinski, 91, of Newark, Delaware passed away peacefully in the presence of her loving family on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 after battling a myriad of health issues for a number of years. She was born and raised in Wilmington to the late Paul and Anna (Kempski) Waclawski. 

Irene attended St. Hedwig Elementary School, a parish with which the Kempski family had strong ties, while also helping in her family’s corner candy store.  She later went on to attend Wilmington High School, and began working as a counter person in the bakery department at the A&P grocery store, where she eventually worked her way up to become head cashier and bookkeeper before retiring to start a family. 

Her childhood sweetheart and husband of 50 years, Francis W. Olewinski, passed away in 2005.

Irene will be remembered as a sweet lady who was always smiling. She enjoyed spending yearly family summer vacations in Fenwick Island, Delaware, and occasional trips to the casino to play the slots. She made the best vegetable beef soup that has never been duplicated. In later years, Irene found much delight in playing bingo with her peers, and loved watching classic movies and crime stories on television.  She’d also never turn down an ice cream cone. Never one to like the finality of goodbye, she preferred to say, “So long.” Until we meet again.

Besides her parents and husband, Irene was preceded in death by her sister, Ann Reimer, and brother, Stanley Waclawski.

Irene is survived by her daughter, Francine McCloud (Charlie); her granddaughter, Amanda; her sister, Mary McClymer; and her nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

Irene’s family would like to extend their thanks to the staff of Millcroft Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facility for the years of care and help they provided, and to the Christiana Hospital ER and 3E ICU doctors and nurses who put forth their best efforts and showed great sympathy and compassion.

Family and friends are invited to visit at St. Hedwig Church, 408 S. Harrison Street, Wilmington, DE 19805 on Tuesday, June 15 from 10:00-10:45AM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00AM, immediately followed by interment in All Saints Cemetery. 

Per the family, masks and social distancing are requested to protect those still at high risk.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Irene’s name to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation (www.oif.org).

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