Irene Baron Obituary

Irene A. Baron (nee Joseph). Born December 27, 1920, died January 28, 2011 at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Irene is survived by her sons, John J. (Harriet) Baron, Gregory (Roberta) Baron and loving daughter Debra (Joel) Stava; her cherished grandchildren, Jeneane (Ron) Bennett, Jennifer (Oscar) Casey, John L. (Devon) Baron, Joel A. (Dr. April Finan) Stava, Andrea (Ariel) Molina, Anne (Sean) Stava-Murray and Blake Baron; much loved great-grandchildren, Amanda and Alyssa Baron, Josh Molnuddin, Payton Casey and Eden Stava; sister, Barbara Joseph and brother, Andy (Shirley) Joseph. She was preceded in death by John N. Baron, her beloved husband of 62 years; parents, Joseph and Julia Joseph; brother, (Joseph) Ben Joseph and great-grandchild Nicholas Casey. Irene was born and raised in Joliet on Abe street in the Hungarian neighborhood, graduating from Joliet Township High School in 1939. She was proud of working at Standard Oil after her father died in 1940, to help out her mom and 3 younger siblings, while waiting for John to return from Army service in Europe during WWII. Irene and John married January 12th, 1946 and lived in the Joliet area primarily, moving to accommodate John's grocery career. They were proud to open Baron's Foods grocery store in Wilmington for many years, opening it in 1978. Retired since 1989, for many years in Downers Grove, then Lexington Square in Lombard since 2007. Irene was a great cook, known especially for her cabbage rolls and potica. She loved volunteering at Good Samaritan Hospital, playing cards, attending church, bowling, watching TV shows Wheel of Fortune and Everybody Loves Raymond, (John hated the show), and spending time with family and friends. She loved the song Goodnight Irene and was thrilled to have it sung to her many times by her loved ones in her last month. Visitation held Monday, January 31, 2011 at Modell Funeral Home in Darien, 7710 S. Cass Avenue. Funeral Mass on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Church in Naperville, 2220 Lisson Rd. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Rose School (Wilmington) or Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. Arrangements by Modell Funeral Home, (630) 852-3595 or www.modellfh.com