Obituary of Irene Mooney

Irene Carol (Burd) Mooney passed away on February 7, 2014 from complications of Parkinson's disease at Kirkland Village Retirement Home, Bethlehem, PA. She was 81 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents, Beth May and Harold Burd, Sr. (Washington, NJ); and her beloved husband of 36 years, Francis Joseph Mooney. Irene was born in Belvedere, New Jersey and lived most of her life in Washington, New Jersey. She was a devoted daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt. She had the distinction of being the "Poet Laureate" of the family. Irene loved poetry and bestowed gifts of her poems on family and friends. She was prolific and wrote scores of poems throughout her life. Her last poem, written in May of 2013, was devoted to her twin granddaughters who were graduating from high school. Irene loved music. Her knowledge of composers, both classical and contemporary, was extraordinary. To the very end, she discussed songs she loved and the performers she admired. She played the piano for most of her 81 years on this earth. She instilled a love of music to her children and grandchildren. Many hours were spent with the family singing surrounding her at the piano. She was a proud member of the First Presbyterian Church of Washington Choir for many years. As well, she sang with the John Raymond Choir and many other regional choruses. A woman before her time, she studied alternative medicine and nutrition and passed this knowledge on to her children and grandchildren. She was "organic" and "pesticide free" early in the 1970's. Teased by her family and friends, she warned of "free radicals" decades before it was part of the American lexicon. Her knowledge of vitamins, minerals, and medicinal herbs predated -by decades - information we take for granted today. In the 1970's she purchased and ate grass-fed, antibiotic free beef and chicken. Coming from a family with roots in the American Revolution on both sides of the conflict, she was proud of her great-great- grandfather who was a whaler and sailed (in the 1800's) around Cape Horn. Irene was a professional working woman decades before women's rights were discussed. In the 1960's, Irene was the Office Manager at her family's business, Burd Chevrolet and Oldsmobile. She served in this capacity for nearly 30 years. She also hosted a local radio program with guests being interviewed each week. Irene is survived by her two older brothers, Harold Burd, Jr. (Lakeland, FL) and Robert Burd husband of Faye (Washington, NJ); her children, James Mooney husband of Diane ( Raleigh, N C), Dawn Warner (Bethlehem, PA), Mary Haas wife of Gary (Milltown, NJ) and Deidre Simmons wife of William (Lancaster, PA); her grandchildren, Erin Kelly wife of Dan (Hillsborough, N J); Caitlin Findlay wife of Brian (Yorktown V.A.); Kristen and Eric Mooney (Raleigh, NC) and twin granddaughters Abigail and Samantha Simmons (Lancaster, PA); her great-grandchildren, Shannon Kelly, Case and Claire Findlay and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her best friend of 70 years, Charlene Warner. Her funeral will be held on Saturday, February 15 at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church, 40 East Church Street, Washington, New Jersey 07882. The family will greet friends from 10:00 am until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers contributions in her memory may be made to St. Lukes Hospice, 1510 Valley Center Parkway, Suite 200, Bethlehem, PA 18017 or the Carol King Hebling Music Fund, Kirkland Village, One Kirkland Village Circle, Bethlehem, PA 18017. Services entrusted to De Voe Funeral Service 136 West Washington Avenue Washington, NJ 07822 908-689-0046 Please see www.devoefuneral.com for online condolences.