Irene A. Portolese

COLUMBUS - Irene A. Portolese, 92, formerly of Youngstown, passed away early Wednesday evening, Nov. 21, 2018, at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus following a brief illness.
 
Irene was born March 16, 1926, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Ursa and Maude Rodgers Whitacre, and was raised in Lowellville and on Youngstown’s east side.

She attended East High School and was a loving wife, mother, and homemaker who dedicated her life to raising and caring for her family.

Irene lived in Youngstown until moving to Western New York in 1951. She returned to Youngstown in 2007 and lived in Columbus since 2009.

Irene was of the Protestant faith.

She enjoyed baking, cooking, keeping her home “tidy,” and she loved music and was especially proud of her music box collection.

Irene leaves three daughters, Ramona (Ron) Taylor of Columbus, with whom she made her home, Michele Schwellinger of Austintown, and Jo Molocea of Boardman; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Betty Snovak of Youngstown; and many extended family members.

Irene’s husband of 57 years, Bruno Portolese, whom she married Dec. 6, 1953, passed away April 20, 2011. Besides her husband, she was preceded by nine siblings, Angeline Boyer, Ethel Hull, Wallace Whitacre, Richard Whitacre, Nellie Tornincasa, Patricia Whitacre, Ursa Whitacre, Calvin Whitacre, and George Whitacre.

Family and friends may call from noon to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 28, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown, where services will take place at 2 p.m.

Interment will follow the funeral homes services, and will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Austintown, where Irene will be laid to rest next to her husband.

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