Irene Karlinchak Gibler

Irene was born to parents Stefan & Xenia Karlinchak on May 5, 1930 in Morann, Pennsylvania, the tenth of thirteen children. Her older brothers teased and cherished her, while her sisters thought she was their own living doll. Irene's primary memories of childhood were how close-knit and loving her family was during the difficult years of the Great Depression and World War II . Her father worked in the coal mines and her mom raised chickens, gardened, and foraged for mushrooms and berries to feed her family and sometimes the neighbors as well. One of her brothers even tried to sell her to an acquaintance for a quarter. Although Irene later forgave him, she never forgot.

After high school, she worked as a switchboard operator, eventually moving to New York where she landed a job with the FBI. James Gibler, a Special Agent, fell in love with her at first sight. They married on February 21, 1954. Their first daughter, Karen, was born in Brooklyn. Imagine Irene's surprise when a fellow agent congratulated her on their transfer to the territory of Alaska. Jim had neglected to inform her that he had applied for a transfer! So began the next chapter in their lives.

Their second daughter, Stephanie, was born in Alaska. After four years of long winters, they moved to Southern California, much more to Irene's liking. Every summer day, she packed up her daughters and went to the beach where they spent the day with other neigborhood families. Vacations were cross country drives to the East coast or Idaho to visit with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Karen's and Stephanie's friends fondly remember the numerous slumber parties and sleep-overs at a home where they always felt welcomed. She volunteered in the school office, in the classroom, accompanied classes on school trips, and always drove her daughters and friends to their sporting competitions, Girl Scout activities; she was a mom who could always be counted on!

Irene bowled in several leagues in Santa Monica, becoming so accomplished that she won the Women's Single Amateur Championship for the state of California. Her record was unbeaten for several decades. She knitted and sewed tiny clothes for our Barbie dolls and fancy dresses for us to wear to church, high school dances, and proms. She baked pies, cakes, cookies, and cinnamon rolls and who can forget her stuffed cabbages and pierogi—the aromas of childhhod? Irene couldn't swim, but she made sure that we learned, and she taught us to ride bikes and roller skate even though they weren't in her repertoire either. She gave her girls the gifts of confidence and independence.

In 1977, Irene and Jim retired to Fallbrook. They gardened and entertained, but mostly loved visiting with their grandchildren Nicole and Amy, whose parents Stephanie and Reggie Grondin had also relocated to Fallbrook. Irene had to give up bowling due to an arthritic back, so she then became a prodigious walker. She loved to walk her dog and catch up on news with any neighbors who might join her.

Although disease limited her activities, her indomitable spirit never gave up. Even in her last weeks, she would bravely affirm that she was going to get up and get better. Her greatest solace during her last years were visits from her great grandchildren, James and Madison. How she delighted in watching them and sharing stories about them! Irene Gibler passed away on Friday, November 9, 2018. Her kindness, sense of humor, independence and love will live forever in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to one of the charities below in her honor.

Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org

Foundation for Senior Care. www.foundationforseniorcare.

Mass at St. Peter the Apostle Church
450 S. Stagecoach Lane
Fallbrook, CA 92028
November 30, 2018 11:00 a.m.

Celebration of life following services at

Golf Club of California
3742 Flowerwood Lane
Fallbrook, CA 92028
760-451-3737

If you plan to attend, please rsvp to:

Stephanie Grondin 760-505-3125
Or
Karen Gibler 310-433-7914