Irene Niemasz

Irene Cecilia Niemasz, loving sister, aunt, friend, wife and mother of five children, passed away on August 15, 2020 at the age of 87.  Irene was born on January 3, 1933 in Flint, Michigan to Stanley and Sofia (Pieknik) Stefanski. Irene married Eugene (Gene) John Niemasz on November 13, 1954 and raised their family in Michigan and Orange, California. Irene moved to Arvada, Colorado in 2018 to be close to her son Gene and his family.

A woman of strong Catholic faith, Irene’s life was dedicated to her family and friends.  Following her beloved husband Gene’s death in 1972, Irene continued raising her children as a single mother.  She worked serving school lunches for the Orange School District for 30 years and worked at the JC Penny catalogue department in Orange.

Irene loved being a mother, cherished her relationships with family and friends, and delighted in watching her grandsons grow up.  She loved the magic of the Waverly Street neighborhood in Orange, CA, where she lived for over 50 years, making life-long friends who closely shared the joys and challenges of life together.  She remained close to her family in Michigan and treasured their visits through the years.  She was a skilled seamstress and liked crafts, oil painting, and animals.

She is survived by her daughters: Cathy Bella (Robert) and Trish Sarfas (Pete); son: Gene Niemasz (Michelle Lamb) and grandsons: Jakob and Jarek; and sisters: Mary Price, Bernie Ripp and Suzanne McDonell.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband Eugene Niemasz, sister Barbara Stodor, and daughters Elaine Niemasz and Cheryl Niemasz.

A private, live-streamed, Funeral Service will be held on Friday, August 21, 2020 at 2:30 pm mountain time. Please join us with this link: https://papa-j.zoom.us/j/98886765930?pwd=NjdHTWVEa2NZYnhOaHhwK2FTamo3UT09

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Cancer Hospital or another charity of your choice.  For convenience, a St. Jude’s donation site has been set up in Irene’s memory at: https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/GiftFunds/GiftFunds?px=6708947&pg=personal&fr_id=39300