Irene A. Podhorez

After a long and blessed life, Irene Alice (Rouillard) Podhorez, 95, passed away at Brightview Senior Living Center in Shelton, CT on July 3, 2026. Irene was predeceased by her beloved husband of 63 years, Paul Podhorez. She served as a loving mother to her four children: David (Kelly) Podhorez of Midland, MI; Marie (Paul) Piccininni of Naples, FL; Audrey (Edward) Chervansky of Fairfield, CT; and Michael Podhorez of Midland, MI. She was a cherished grandmother to Mark, Eric, and Jeffrey Podhorez, Daniel Piccininni, and Amy Chervansky. Irene is also survived by her sister Catherine Pepin of Bloomfield, CT along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Born in Chicopee, MA on October 2, 1930, Irene was the daughter of the late Francis and Catherine (Simonich) Rouillard. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Chicopee, MA and the American International College in Springfield, MA. With her degree in hand, Irene moved to Schenectady, NY to work for Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL) as a mathematician. It was in Schenectady that she met and married her husband Paul.

Shortly thereafter, Irene and Paul settled in Glennville, NY where they resided for over 50 years. While living there, they served as longtime parishioners of St. Joseph’s Church in Scotia, NY. After raising her children, Irene went back to college to earn her teaching certificate and worked as a substitute math teacher in the local school districts. Her many hobbies included reading, quilting, playing mahjongg, knitting, and crocheting. She delighted her family with her culinary skills and elaborate holiday dinners. Her love of travel brought her all over the world, including excursions to Egypt, China, and Australia.

In 2012, after it became challenging to maintain their home, Irene and Paul moved to Coburg Village in Rexford, NY. Subsequent residences included the Brightview Senior Living communities in Lake Tappan, NY and Shelton, CT to be near to her daughters.

The family thanks the team at Wellspring Village for their care and compassion they have shown Irene over the past three years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, July 9th at 11am at St. Pius X Church, 834 Brookside Dr, Fairfield, CT 06824. Family and friends will be received that morning from 9:30-10:30 am at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. Burial will take place on Friday, July 10 at 1:30 pm at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd, Schuylerville, NY 12871.

Memorial Donations can be made in Irene’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/