Irene E. Crowley

September 25, 1928 - September 27, 2019

Irene E. (Matchmaker) Crowley passed away peacefully on September 27, surrounded by her family. Irene was born in Lawrence on September 25, 1928 to the late Thomas L. Matchmaker and Emily (Mahon) Matchmaker. She was the beloved wife of Robert A. Crowley, with whom she celebrated 69 years of marriage. Irene attended the Gilbert E. Hood School, Lawrence High School and Katherine Gibbs School. Irene worked for the Lawrence Housing Authority, and before her retirement worked as a medical secretary at New England Neurological Associates. Her wonderful and warm personality brought her lifelong friendships from work, and from those she met through her service. Irene was a master of needlework, crafting beautiful creations that she was very proud of. She especially loved to create work that featured Celtic patterns. She devoted many hours to genealogical research, tracing her family roots back through multiple generations. She was so very proud of her Irish heritage, which was reflected in her long standing membership in the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, James T. O’Reilly Division 8. Irene and her family were thrilled when she was named as Irish Woman of the Year by the AOH in recognition of her long years of dedication and service to that organization. Irene loved to travel, and enjoyed many trips and adventures to Europe with her husband Bob. Irene’s life was full and busy, but for her there was never anything as important as spending time with her family. As that family grew she continued to host large family gatherings in the house that she lived in her whole life, and nothing that she ever did brought her the joy she got from that family. She beamed with love, pride, and affection as her grandchildren grew and started their own families, never far from her warmth and unconditional love. Her Christmas celebrations were legendary, filled with food, laughter, and the love that brought her family so close to her. She shared that tradition and love with her husband Bob, who was her soul mate and companion for sixty nine years of wonderful marriage. Irene was predeceased by her brother, Joseph L. Matchmaker. She is survived by her husband, Robert A. Crowley, and children Kathleen Brazer, Jake and wife Marilyn, Thomas and wife Linda, Elizabeth Manzi and husband William, Margaret Joseph and husband Michael, Robert and wife Kathleen. She leaves grandchildren Eric Brazer Jr and wife Amy Morris, Emily Zeitsev and husband Ilya, Eileen Burnell and husband Kyle, Patrick Crowley, William M. Manzi IV, Meaghan T. Manzi, Kaitlin Dionne and husband Ethan, Brendan Crowley, Kevin Crowley, Grace Crowley, Lily Crowley, and five great grandchildren. She also leaves sister-in-law Mevelyn Dineen Matchmaker and nieces Millie Baumbusch and Rosie Greenfield. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Tuesday October 1, 2019 from 4:00-8:00 PM at John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, 122 Amesbury Street, Lawrence. There will also be a 5:30 Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Service held during the wake. Her funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday October 2, 2019 at 11:00 am at St Monica’s Church, 212 Lawrence Street, Methuen. Burial will be at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St Jude’s Children's Hospital. For directions or to send condolences, please visit www.breenfuneralhome.com