Irene was born to Tony and Cagna Costa in Hayward, California. She spent her early years on a ranch, where she quickly learned the meaning of “hard” but “honest” work. Her father knew early on in her life that his beloved daughter would be extremely important in maintaining and running the family’s ranch in Manteca.
She would remain in Manteca her entire adult life. She attended Manteca High School where she actively participated in women’s softball and basketball. Irene met Joseph Marks early in 1949, and after a brief engagement was married to him in October of the same year. That began their 60 years of marriage that produced two children, Beverly Ann Marks-Stevens and Richard J. Marks. After her marriage, Irene remained home with her two children, steadfastly caring for her home and family. In the late 1960s she decided to seek employment, which led her to a 25 year career in food service with Manteca Unified School District. Upon retirement at the age of 62, Irene soon found comfort and joy in gardening, neighborhood walks with her beloved husband, day trips to local events and most importantly spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was grandma to her grandsons, Robert and Sean and great grandma to Sean’s son Patrick. Everyone who ever met Irene, would comment on her beautiful and sincere smile. It was truly a smile that would tug on your heart strings and just maybe, offer you a glimpse of the beauty that awaits you in the afterlife. Besides being a doting mother and wife, Irene was admired for her smart style of dressing and a well kept home. These were the virtues of a good Catholic woman and she made every effort to abide by them. Irene was called home to Heaven after a long battle with a chronic heart condition.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Cagna Costa, her father, Tony Costa and six siblings, Marie Escobar, Emily Helton, Manuel Abrew, Tony Abrew, John Abrew and Larry Costa. Irene will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her, especially her immediate and extended family.
Final arrangements are being planned by P.L Fry and Son Funeral Home. A mass service will be held at St. Patrick’s Church in Ripon, California on August 8, at
9:30 a.m., with a burial ceremony to follow at the St. John’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that a memorial donation be made to Hospice of San Joaquin (www.hospicesj.org.)
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
She would remain in Manteca her entire adult life. She attended Manteca High School where she actively participated in women’s softball and basketball. Irene met Joseph Marks early in 1949, and after a brief engagement was married to him in October of the same year. That began their 60 years of marriage that produced two children, Beverly Ann Marks-Stevens and Richard J. Marks. After her marriage, Irene remained home with her two children, steadfastly caring for her home and family. In the late 1960s she decided to seek employment, which led her to a 25 year career in food service with Manteca Unified School District. Upon retirement at the age of 62, Irene soon found comfort and joy in gardening, neighborhood walks with her beloved husband, day trips to local events and most importantly spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was grandma to her grandsons, Robert and Sean and great grandma to Sean’s son Patrick. Everyone who ever met Irene, would comment on her beautiful and sincere smile. It was truly a smile that would tug on your heart strings and just maybe, offer you a glimpse of the beauty that awaits you in the afterlife. Besides being a doting mother and wife, Irene was admired for her smart style of dressing and a well kept home. These were the virtues of a good Catholic woman and she made every effort to abide by them. Irene was called home to Heaven after a long battle with a chronic heart condition.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Cagna Costa, her father, Tony Costa and six siblings, Marie Escobar, Emily Helton, Manuel Abrew, Tony Abrew, John Abrew and Larry Costa. Irene will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her, especially her immediate and extended family.
Final arrangements are being planned by P.L Fry and Son Funeral Home. A mass service will be held at St. Patrick’s Church in Ripon, California on August 8, at
9:30 a.m., with a burial ceremony to follow at the St. John’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that a memorial donation be made to Hospice of San Joaquin (www.hospicesj.org.)
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, August 2, 2019
