"Vicki, I remember your Mom as a wonderful lady when we were Respiratory Care students at St.. Mary Hospital and she was director of telecommunications. Irene always had a smile and a twinkle in her eye if we needed her "Mom" advice. She "kept us in line, and out of trouble " on several occasions! Hugs and prayers to you and your family. "
In loving memory of
Irene Huff
May 16, 1932 - April 6, 2021
Irene Huff, age 88, of Quincy and formerly of Decatur, IL, passed away on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at 9:40 pm in Blessing Hospital.
Irene Marie Huff was an only child born to Alice Ardell and Clyde "B" Shaw on May 16, 1932.
Irene grew up in Decatur, Illinois and graduated from Decatur High School and then received a diploma in Nursing from Decatur and Macon County Hospital School of Nursing.
Irene married Keith Edwin Huff in 1952. For three months following graduation in nursing, she worked in OB before joining her husband in England where he was stationed in the U.S. Air Force. Following his discharge eighteen months later, they returned to Decatur. Irene returned to work in surgery for a few months before their first child, a daughter, was born. For the next fifteen years Irene remained at home and had two more children, a daughter and a son.
During ten years of that time Keith and her father owned and operated three restaurants in Decatur: The Curve Inn, Shaw's Restaurant, and Huff's Pie House. When they closed the restaurants, Keith went to work at Firestone and Irene took a refresher course in nursing and returned to work part time at the hospital in the evenings. Six months later, Keith was transferred to Spartanburg, SC.
While in Spartanburg Irene helped transition a nursing home into a 100-bed surgical hospital where she helped with writing policies and procedures as well as taught nursing classes. As Irene was preparing for a return to the nursing floor, Keith was transferred to Electric Wheel in Quincy, IL.
In Quincy Irene accepted the Director of Volunteers and Telecommunications position at St. Mary Hospital. Irene accepted this position knowing she would never get bored with the job. She was right, in the eleven years she spent at St. Mary's she was instrumental in adding a doctor call system, initiating a child safety seat program and lifeline program, presenting two volunteer programs at the Illinois Hospital Association state meeting in Chicago, upgrading the phone system twice, and writing the Fire/Disaster plan. In addition, she served on the Illinois State Director of Hospital Volunteer Services Board.
After Keith accepted a job as Director of Information Systems at Barnes Hospital in St Louis they moved there. During the first four months in St. Louis Irene returned to St. Mary's Hospital as a consultant planning the lobby restaurant. In 1988 she was hired as Director of Volunteers at St. Johns Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis. She remained here until her retirement in 1998. While in St. Louis she served on the Missouri Association of Directors of Volunteers for Hospitals Board and was privileged to serve one term as president.
After her retirement, they returned to Decatur to be of help to their mothers. Keith and Irene lived in a cottage at South Side Country Club where they enjoyed golf and fishing. For the first three years of her retirement Irene worked as the Assistant Administrator at the Anna B Millikin Home. Later, she was a member of the James Millikin Homestead Board and served one term as President.
After Keith passed away in 2016 Irene returned to Quincy to be close to her family. She enjoyed spending time with her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She especially liked being "GG" to all her "greats".
In Quincy, Irene joined the IE chapter of PEO, she had previously been a member of the IF chapter in Decatur. She was a member of the Quincy Women's City Club and served as their Treasurer since 2019. Irene was recently named President of the newly founded Friends of the Lorenzo Bull House, something she was very proud of.
Irene enjoyed travel, reading, knitting, playing golf, and bridge. When her grandchildren were young, you could find Irene following along on the golf course.
Irene is survived by her daughters Vicki (Jeff) Kroeger and Kim (Jamie) Rees. Her grandchildren: Julie Herring, Jacob (Hope) Huff, Katrina (Joe) Casper, Brian (Courtney) Kroeger, and Erica (Andrew) Coulter. Her step-grandchildren: Alisha (Vic) Schroeder, Kristin (Tim) Brown, Heather Rees, Olivia Rees, and Jamison (Fiancé Carley) Rees. Her Great-Grandchildren: Rayleigh & Denver Huff, Kennadi, Anabel, Millie and Josephine Casper, McKenna, Lincoln and Luka Kroeger, Tommy and Carson Coulter. Her step-great-Grandchildren: Dylan, Preston, and Reagan Schroeder, Rebecca Brown. Irene was eagerly awaiting the addition of two additional step-Great-Grandchildren later this year.
In addition to her husband Irene was preceded in death by her son, Greg Huff, a grandson-in-law Chad Herring, and a step-Great-Granddaughter Ashton Schroeder.
Services: 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 12, 2021 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with Father Michael Kuse officiating. Irene's family asks that attendees observe the CDC's Covid19 guidelines by wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.
Celebration of Life: Irene's family will receive friends from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday April 11, 2021 at the Women's City Club. Irene's family asks that attendees observe the CDC's Covid19 guidelines by wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.
Burial: Home Cemetery in Fowler, IL.
Memorials: Friends of the Lorenzo Bull House. Memorial Donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"I met Irene back in 1977 when I started as a candy striper and then as a patient communication clerk. I moved to St. Louis and obtained my RN at Barnes Hospital. When I got married in 1988 Irene. and Keith attended my wedding. I always remember the silver candle sticks she gave me for a wedding present."
"Remembering Irene as she walked the halls of St. Mary Hospital leaving her footprint in the St. Mary Hospital legacy. Sending our sympathy in thoughts and prayers. St. Mary Hospital Community, Then and Now"
"What a blessing it must be knowing that your teacher, mom, offered you so many incredible traits and teachings. The way that you live by example and share mother's message with your kids is a testament to your mother Irene's mothering, love for you and her legacy. Kim, you more than anyone has so much purpose in life. It is so apparent in the way that you are and do things. And, God only knows that having purpose in life allows us the strength to travel through times such as these. The Lambert family loved your mother, enjoy her wit, purity and company. We all mourn with you and are there for support. We look forward to sharing and hearing some of your mother's life stories next time we break bread. God bless"
"I was honored to work with her on the Board of the Friends of the Lorenzo Bull House. She kept things organized and moving! She will be missed."
"Thinking of the Huff family. My sympathies to you all. Mary "
"Irene was a phenomenal person, with such great energy and ideas. I served on the Womens City Club Board of Directors with Irene, who served as our Treasurer, and also served with her on Friends if the Bull House, and she was sending us emails up until the last few days. I will miss her so much. My deepest sympathy to her Family."
"Irene is a kind, brilliant, unforgettable woman who, besides her other accomplishments, most importantly raised three kind and unique children."
"Thinking of the family. Irene had a kind word and a smile for everyone she met. She will be missed. Larry and Linda "