Irene (Conti) Penna Obituary (1930 - 2024)

Irene (Conti) Penna April 11,1930 -April 17, 2024 Irene (Conti) Penna was born at home at 122 Monument Street in Portland, Maine to Italian immigrants and naturalized citizens Nicoloantonio Conti and Assunta (DiSanto) Conti, both of Carunchio, Abruzzi, Italy. Irene was the 3rd of 9 siblings. She attended North School, Jack Junior High School, and graduated in the class of 1948 from Portland High School. Her first paid position was a farm worker, picking string beans at farms in Scarborough, Maine. She later worked at a local flower shop and later at Edwards and Walkers as a bookkeeper. Her early recollection of growing up during the Depression and World War 2 was although the family was poor, they did not go hungry. Most of her siblings contributed their wages to the family and were allowed to keep some money to go to an occasional movie. Irene would often go out with her good friend Theresa (Rague) Colucci. In May of 1948, just prior to her high school graduation, Irene met a handsome, young man who had returned to his birthplace after living in war torn Italy. From the moment they met, Irene and Joseph were truly in love. Months after they dated, he proposed to Irene. Joseph and Irene married three days after her 21st birthday, on April 14th, 1951.Together, they worked hard to build a wonderful and secure life for their three children Nancy, Joseph G, and Paul Penna. After the birth of their third child, they vacated their apartment on Mountford Street, in Portland. They purchased a home on Lynda Road in Portland, where they lived and raised their family. Their home was the perfect location for young families. Irene made many friends in the neighborhood and often would have coffee or talk “at the fence” in the backyard while the children all played together. Irene was the neighborhood nurse, who would help other mothers with sick or injured children, advising them what to do or helping in an emergency. It was here that lifelong friendships were forged. In the early 1960’s Irene took a part time position as a cashier at A & P Supermarket on India and Congress Street. Her goal was to save enough money so she and her husband Joseph could make a trip to Italy and Joseph’s hometown of Nola. Their wish came true in the summer of 1962 when they boarded the cruise ship Volcania and traveled to Naples, Italy. The summer was spent getting to know Joseph’s family and traveling to the birthplace of her parents where Irene met her maternal grandparents. As Irene’s children entered elementary school, she became involved in Cummings School P.T.A and acted as President of the organization. When her children attended Portland High School, she became President of the parent fundraising group for the H.S. Band and Orchestra, of which her three children participated. Once her children were in High School, Irene returned to work full time for the lawyer Gerald Cope. Later, she worked for Carolyn’s caterers and the Holiday Inn banquet facility. Irene was a very skilled knitter and could “whip up” sweaters and mittens in a matter of hours. In the 1980’s she purchased a knitting machine, and with the help of her “knitting club,” she learned to create amazing creations, which she shared with all of her six grandchildren. Some of these creations have now been passed onto her 10 great grandchildren. Irene’s focus throughout her life was to make connections with people and most importantly family. She was very close to her sisters and held a very special place in her heart for her youngest sibling, Mary who is many years younger than Irene. As Irene would relay the story, she was required to take her baby sister with her on her dates! Later, as adults, they were inseparable and went on adventures and vacations together with their husbands in tow. After the death of Irene’s beloved husband Joseph in 2019, she went to live in the vibrant senior living community of Stroudwater Lodge. Irene was well loved by staff and residents alike. Always positive and kind, she offered words of support and compliments to everyone she met…. of course, always accompanied by a “joke.” When talking about age, Irene would always invert the numbers to reflect a much younger age. When she recently had her 94th birthday and told everyone she was 49 years old, her response was, “Oh, that’s a big number!” Irene spoke frequently to everyone how proud she was of her three children, and that they each earned advanced college degrees and were successful in both their careers and family lives. As she said, “What more can a mother wish for her children?” Irene was predeceased by both of her parents, her husband Joseph, and seven of her siblings. She is survived by her sister, Mary C. Smith; daughter, Nancy Penna Curran (husband John), Joseph G. Penna (wife Demi Kouzounas), Paul A. Penna (wife Sandra Noble), grandchildren Maria (Curran) Russell, Matthew Curran, Nichol Penna, Joseph W. Penna, Katelyn (Penna) Berube, Nicholas Penna, and all of their spouses. She also leaves her great grandchildren: Connor, Reilly and Avery Russell, Lena and Gia Delli Colli, Marlow and Sullivan Curran, Lydia and Paul Berube, and Cleo Penna. Irene’s family would like to thank the staff of Stroudwater Lodge for their caring and kindness towards our mother during her brief illness, the staff of Stroudwater was attentive and provided her with amazing support along with Hospice of Southern Maine. Irene died peacefully at her place of residence. In lieu of flowers please consider making a contribution to Hospice of Southern Maine, 390 US-1, Scarborough, ME 04074. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00AM on Friday, April 26, 2024, at St. Pius X Church in Portland, burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery in South Portland. To view the Mass by Livestream please visit, https://ladyofhopemaine.org/