Ethel Irene Carlile

In memory of Irene (Crocker) Carlile, who passed away peacefully at the age of 85, on May 1, 2018, in Lakewood, Colorado, with her family at her bedside. Irene was born on March 6, 1933, in Live Oak, California, to Ethel and Belvia Crocker. She grew up in Paradise, California, where she graduated high school and went on to earn a degree from Chico State in Mathematics. Irene was the first in her family to graduate from college, and she did so in a field which did not often honor women. With her natural affinity and love of mathematics, she went on to study for her Master’s, taught children and adults in California, Alaska, and Colorado, and worked as a statistician for Diners’ Club. She was one of the first to jump on the PC bandwagon and took great pleasure in discovering new technology—computers, tablets, cellphone, and games systems.

Although she had a passion for numbers, it did not rival her passion for family. She married her husband of 60 years, Fenwick Carlile, in 1958. Irene was the love of Fenwick’s life. They spent their years together in Paradise, Fairbanks, Alaska, and Lakewood, Colorado raising children. They became motorcyclists and set off on cross-country adventures. After retirement, they continued their travels as long-distance truck drivers for Schneider, where Irene was proud of her perfect driving record, before finally “settling down” and traveling around the states in their motor home.

Irene took great pleasure from being a mother and grandmother. She liked to say that each time she moved, she had another baby. Melody (Mike) Gillespie was born in Paradise; Heather (David) Carter was born in Fairbanks, Alaska; and Jennifer (John) Bortz and Rebecca (Paul) O’Shea were born in Denver. She is survived by her four daughters (above), seven grandchildren, and two great granddaughters— David (Celia) and Lila and Novi Pellouchoud; Alexajayne (Sean) Richards; Caitlin O’Shea; Rachel (Addison) Shaw; Brennan O’Shea; and Emma and Annie Bortz. Irene also had a loyal and loving extended family with many devoted nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Jack and Louis Tibbets and Bill and James Crocker. She had a phenomenal memory and passed down many stories of all whom she loved which will be treasured by those she leaves behind.

With her feisty nature, Irene taught us we could go anywhere and do anything. Her legacy of determination and grit will live on in all those she loved, and she will be greatly missed.