Irene was born April 8th, 1924 to May McCarthy Barrett and Edward Barrett and lived her entire life here in Portland. She grew up in a large extended Irish family and attended Holy Rosary grade school, St Mary’s Academy high school and Marylhurst College. She and her family were active members of the Irish community here in Portland. Irene was very proud of this heritage and enjoyed telling stories of cherished times spent growing up in that community and of summers spent with her family at their beach house in Long Beach, Washington.

She met Rolland (Ron) Patterson while working at International Harvester. They married on January 13th, 1951 and raised three children together while sharing an amazing 56 year marriage. Their deep faith, love of family and love of life was felt by all who knew them. Together they created a home that was always open to family and friends and filled with laughter and warmth.

Irene had a beautiful soprano singing voice. She received a scholarship to Marylhurst College, was the vocalist at most of her nieces and nephews weddings and spent many years as an active member of the choirs at St Thomas More and St John Fisher Parishes. Music was always a part of Irene’s life and her children and grandchildren have wonderful memories of her playfully humming tunes while dancing and singing while playing the piano.

She worked at the Oregonian Publishing Company for many years. Irene was the first woman to hold the position of Sales Account Manager within the company. Her engaging and upbeat attitude, strong work ethic, attention to detail and persistence gained her the respect and friendship of colleagues and clients alike.

Irene will best be remembered for her love of life, her devotion to her children and grandchildren, her deep faith and her Irish strength. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ron, sisters Maxine Paque and Barbara Chatterton, brother, James Barrett, and sons in law Jim Bochsler and Steve Brauser.

She is survived by her children Mary Patterson, Karen Brauser, Thomas Patterson and his wife Ashley; grandchildren, Michael and his wife Katie, Sarah, Erin, Megan, Kiera, Isabel and Rosalie and great grandsons, Colton, Brady and James.

Funeral Mass is Friday November 6, 2015 at 10:30 at St John Fisher Catholic Church, 7007 SW 46th Portland Oregon, 97219.