Irene M. Cardin

Irene Monica (Cirello) Cardin, 74, passed away peacefully in her home in Youngsville, NC on January 19, 2020 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Irene was a devoted mother to her precious twin boys Raymond and Andrew. Irene was born at St. Ann’s Hospital in Manhattan Borough of New York City, NY, and was the second youngest of 11 children. Growing up in the big city and enjoying summers in the rural farmland of central New Jersey, the family decided to head for greener pastures and moved permanently to Hopewell, NJ in the mid 1950’s. The country life came naturally to Irene and it wasn’t long before she discovered a love for nature and animals. She had a particular fondness for dogs and horses. Irene graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic high school in Trenton, NJ. She began working in the NJ State Offices as a clerk and typist, eventually becoming the principal clerk for the NJ State Office of Community Affairs. During this time, she also graduated beautician school and became a licensed hair stylist and beautician. She would proudly boast how much money she saved by cutting her family’s hair. In October of 1976 Irene married James Raymond (Ray) Cardin (who predeceased her on January 21, 2016) at St. Alphonsus Church in Hopewell, NJ and moved to Titusville, NJ to start her family. While transitioning full time to housewife, she also found joy in volunteering at the Bear Tavern Elementary School where her sons attended and exploring Washington’s Crossing State Park. Irene and Ray retired to Youngsville, NC in 2005. Irene took comfort in surrounding her environment with trees, flowers, animals and birds and took great pride in taking care of her yard. Gardening brought her tremendous joy and she always offered great gardening tips. She had a natural talent and love for art and was a gifted painter and drawer, possessing the keen ability to understand the harmonizing, complimenting and juxtaposing of colors. Her most beautiful virtue was how she always put others’ needs before her own, and was always smiling and making light of situations. Irene was preceded in death by her mother Anna Raevis, father Maurice “Pop” Cirello, sisters Annie, Catherine, Miriam, Marie and brothers Patsy and Joseph. She is survived by her son Andrew (Kristin) Cardin of Cary, NC and son Raymond (Kim) Cardin of Raleigh, NC, granddaughter Alexandria Cardin, step-daughter Barbara Cardin, sisters Theresa and Rita, brothers Vincent and John, cousins, many nieces and nephews both grand and great grand. A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 31st 2020 at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Raleigh, NC at 831 Wake Forest Road at 3:30pm. Special thanks to the staff of Transitions LifeCare and Seniors Helping Seniors who really provided professional and compassionate care in Irene’s final weeks. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Transitions LifeCare (https://transitionslifecare.org/donate/) or the Youngsville EMS and Rescue (youngsvillerescueems.org).