2022 -- H 7005

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LC003184

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF MARY DURAND IRONS

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Messier, Amore, Kazarian,
McNamara, Kennedy, O'Brien, Edwards, and Fogarty

     Date Introduced: January 06, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Mary D.

Irons, beloved wife for fifty-two years to the Honorable William V. Irons, former President of the

Rhode Island Senate, and the devoted mother of three daughters, Joan Cronin and her husband

Pat, Sarah Irons, and Katherine Sudol and her husband, Brad; and

     WHEREAS, Born in Hampton, Virginia, Mrs. Irons was a daughter of the late Camille

and Katherine Durand, and the sister of Barbara Traverse and her husband, Stan, COL (Retired),

Michael Durand, Joe Durand and his wife, Beth, and sister-in-law of Evelyn Bain. She had

graduated from Sacred Heart School, Bay View Academy, Katherine Gibbs School, and Rhode

Island College; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Irons met her husband on a blind date that grew into a lifelong

devotion in both their family life and business. They had both been employed in the insurance

industry for many years, where she had served as the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Life

Underwriters Association; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, Mrs. Irons was deeply committed to serving her community and

for forty-four years had worked with and developed everlasting friendships within the General

Federation of Women’s Clubs, initially as one of the founding members of the Wampanoag

Women’s Club in Rumford, and later holding myriad leadership positions in the General

Federation of Women’s Clubs Rhode Island, including serving as State President, and on

numerous General Federation of Women’s Clubs International committees. She had also worked

with State Senate and Rhode Island National Education Association staff members to lead the

Gingerbread Express program, an altruistic endeavor that donates gifts to children in need; and

     WHEREAS, With her generous and loving personality, Mary Irons created and nurtured

a marriage that flourished and a home that was warm and welcoming. She doted on her family

and was especially proud to be "Grand Mary" to her grandchildren, Caroline Mary, Meredith,

Joshua, and Ryan Cronin, and Dylan Irons-Nobrega; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Irons was a faithful parishioner of St. Margaret Church in Rumford.

She "loved to laugh and to dance," travel with her husband throughout the nation and the world,

and spend time with her beloved family and friends. And although she had faced Parkinson's

disease over the last decade, she continued to live her life with passion and determination, and she

will be dearly missed; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

extends deepest condolences on the passing of Mary Durand Irons; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Honorable Williams Irons and Family.

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