I feel privileged knowing Irene as the artist in her passion for photography.  Sparked by her interest, Irene  delved into the art of picture taking in depth even to the extent of setting up a dark room in her basement to experiment with some of the printing techniques! It is not surprising that Irene became a great photographer! All of her friends count on Irene to take the group picture at the end of every get-together occasion but few knew that Irene could take professional caliber photographs! 

Drawn together by our common interest to capture the beauty of Nature, Irene and I had lengthy discussions on shooting the best pictures.  At a photo shoot together in one of the local Orchid Shows when we were doing mostly macro photography, we discussed  the shallow depth of field, the small aperture setting and how to steady the camera without the availability of a tripod to steady the camera.   Irene, by far more experienced than I, readily shared her knowledge and gave me some good pointers! From then on, we communicated regularly via email sending each other the recent pictures that we took and we would admire and sometimes critique them. Gradually our email correspondence broadened into other topics of interest and discussions which allowed me to get to know more and more about Irene. She was intelligent and compassionate, interesting  and understanding! She was the pillar of strength and knowledge and was always generous in giving help and support to all her friends.  I have always considered it a blessing to have Irene as my friend and model! I have grown to respect her and love her and I will cherish all the fond memories of her...

Attached are a few examples of Irene's photographic achievement .

I remember Irene with the greatest fondness and respect.  After she moved to California, we remained regularly in touch by email.  Her emails were always upbeat, thoughtful, and invariably informative.  I received her last email the day before she suddenly passed away, so her loss came as a quite a shock that i could hardly believe.  Now I realize how much I will miss Irene's regular presence in my life, though the warmth of her memory will always be with me.

Helen Benham

In loving memory of my dearest and most respected teacher, Irene!

It has been 6 days since I received Kerri's message, yet I still cannot accept the heartbreaking reality that Irene is no longer with us.

Back in 2010, when I first arrived in the U.S. and settled in New Jersey with my husband Peng, I was preparing for the TOEFL and GMAT exams as part of my MBA application.  New country, new environment, no friends and immense pressure.  It was during that challenging time, I luckily met Irene at the Middletown Library, where she was passionately teaching ESL classes.  Her class was such a warm and welcoming haven in the midst of the unfamiliarity that surrounded me.

Upon learning that I was studying for TOEFL, Irene generously offer me one-on-one English-speaking lessons, completely free of charge.  When the time came for business school interviews, she tailored classes to get me better prepared.  Throughout the MBA application process, Irene went above and beyond, revising my essays and guiding me to delve deeper into self-analysis.  We worked tirelessly together, day and night.  Regardless of how late I sent her my essay drafts, she consistently responded promptly, providing me with her feedback the very next day.  She transformed what could have been an incredibly stressful application journey into my most enjoyable experience.  Through her unwavering support, I discovered facets of myself that I hadn’t even noticed before, empowering me to step into my dream school.

Before entering business school, I sought Irene's advice on what steps to take. She suggested that I either go to Brookdale Community College to immerse myself in American classes to adapt in advance or travel to relax.  I chose to do both.  Peng and I decided to travel to Cornell University and Watkins Glen State Park, where Irene and Jay's love story had started.  They shared with us how they met at Cornell and had their first date in Watkins Glen.  It felt like magic standing in front of the building Irene had studied in, and as we walked the same trails they had taken, I could almost taste the sweetness of their love.  I sent photos taken at those places to Irene and Jay during their 51st anniversary, sharing my emotions, just as she had graciously shared her stories and happiness with me.

During my MBA, Irene sent me an email telling that she and Jay had sold their house and would start a road trip to California, visiting friends along the way.  After my graduation, Peng and I decided to do a similar cross-state road trip from East Coast to West Coast, with the same destination - California.  When we finally reunited in the Bay Area, a flood of emotions overwhelmed us both.  This was the most amazing aspect of life—you meet someone, and they become an integral part of your journey.  Irene and Jay made me feel like I had family in the Bay Area.  We continued to meet as our lives settled down, celebrating New Year, watching NCAA basketball game separately and remotely though but always cheers for the same team-Tar Heels, visiting each other's apartments, and exploring restaurants, no matter whether Western or Asian. Their inclusivity extended from their minds to culture, from their taste buds to zest of life, and far beyond.

When I became a mom, Irene shared her experience of how her parents had insisted on speaking Chinese with her at home so she could master the language.  After knowing my thought of cultivating my son's Chinese speaking capability, she encouraged me to do the same at home.  Yes, that was Irene—never hold back from sharing valuable experiences or insights whenever she believed they would be beneficial to you.

From 2018 to 2020, I went back to China and worked in Hangzhou.  Irene was excited to tell me her son was also in Hangzhou, and how much she loved her daughter-in-law.  However, little did I know that the day I first connected with her daughter-in-law, Kerri would be the day I received the devastating news of Irene's passing.

Irene was not just our teacher and friend; she was like family.  She embodied an angelic wisdom that left an indelible mark on my life and educational journey.  Her selflessness and dedication to helping others achieve their dreams made a profound impact on those, including me, who were fortunate  to know her.  It saddens me deeply that there will be no one who understands me quite like Irene did, and I struggle to comprehend how such a perfect angel could be taken from us, but when I reflect on all those unforgettable moments with Irene, I realize she is still there with us, residing in our hearts.  Irene hasn't left; she remains with us in another way, our guardian angel, a beacon of wisdom, and a memory filled with love and grace.

Forever in our hearts,

Peng and Vicki’s Family