Irene Simons
Irene Elizabeth Novalis Simons, 78, of Butler, went to be with Our Lord on Friday, March 24, 2023, with her daughter, Beth, by her side. Irene was currently battling many extended illnesses and she was being cared for by her family, Transitions Hospice and the staff of Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Born in Pittsburgh on July 2, 1944, she was a daughter of the late Anthony P. and Anna P. Rogel Novalis.
Irene worked for the Internal Revenue Service in Pittsburgh for many years. Most recently, from 1988 until her retirement in 2017, she was employed by Sechler Memorial Company in Butler, working for the Logue family. Irene had many special industry skills that she expertly and professionally provided to funeral homes and cemeteries. Even more important, she possessed courage, strength, kindness and compassion, traits upon which she relied to aid and guide hundreds of families during their time of grief.
She was a member of All Saints Parish, Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church.
She also belonged to the Unionville Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, and she was a longtime volunteer and supporter of Special Olympics.
Irene was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, cousin, aunt and friend. She also was a fierce prayer warrior, spending much time praying for family, extended family and anyone with a need.
Irene is survived by one son, Matthew B. Simons, of Butler; and one daughter, Elizabeth A. Simons Ozella and her husband, Shane, of Butler. She also is survived by seven grandchildren, Brittany Steele and her fiancé, Ed Weingartner, of Butler; Daniel L. Steele II and his companion, Amanda Leinenbach, of Butler; U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class Hunter M. Prementine, who is serving as a nuclear operator on the USS Abraham Lincoln out of San Diego, Calif.; Lexis I. Prementine, Brady M. Prementine and Levi R. Prementine, all of Slippery Rock; and Tama Cassel and his wife, Rachel, of Warren, Mich.
Irene also is survived by three great-grandchildren, Jace Robert Daniel Steele, of Butler, and Rhiannon Rose Cassel and Robert Cassel, both of Warren, Mich.; one brother, Anthony Novalis and his wife, Julia, of Ocean Isle, N.C.; two sisters, Joan Skarada and her husband, Phil, also of Ocean Isle, N.C., and Janet Lamport and her husband, Bert, of Mount Lebanon, Pa.; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Irene sadly was preceded in death by three daughters, Monica Lee Simons (Matthew’s twin), Renee L. Simons and Roberta I. “Bobbi” Simons Prementine; her oldest grandson, Robert W. Foulk; and her former husband, Robert Dewain Simons.
SIMONS — Family and friends of Irene Elizabeth Novalis Simons, who died Friday, March 24, 2023, will be received from noon to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in MARTIN FUNERAL HOME, 429 Center Ave., Butler.
A blessing service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home, with the Rev. John Baver officiating.
Burial will follow in Saint Michael’s Cemetery.
For more information, visit www.martinfh.net.
Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.
