Helen Irene Woodwad, 92, passed peacefully at home on May 28, 2026.

Irene was a hard worker. She was a loyal employee of Whittaker Cable until the company closed its doors and then worked at Liberty Hospital until she retired at age 62. Irene lived a simple life, full of her favorite things—her home, her vegetable and flower gardens, playing gin rummy (complete with trash talk and “watch THIS”) while drinking “just one” Bacardi and Pepsi, shopping ‘till she dropped for all of the best bargains from the sale ads and outlet stores, and visiting with those she loved. No one left Irene’s home hungry—there was always extra everything in “The Irene Closet.” If you weren’t good at saying no, you were bound to become uncomfortably overstuffed.

Irene is survived by her sister, Mamie Tombleson (husband Dennis); her daughter Sherry Mathes (husband Chip; children: Amy, Wayne, Angela, and Jeffrey); her son, Norman Woodward (wife Marsha; children: Katrina and Baylor); her stepson Gary Woodward (children: Lori, Daphne, and Alan); her stepdaughter Pamela Padilla Woodward (children: David, Jenny, and Star); and too many to count nieces, nephews, cousins, greats and grands of all of the above, and friends of all ages.

Irene was a force of nature who will not be forgotten. All who knew and loved her will find peace in knowing she is free from pain and burden, hand-in-hand with the love of her life, Zeb Woodward, in the company of Jesus. “Together Forever.”