Divers

Commitment and loyalty are the best words to describe Irene (Lesney) Divers, of Butler, who passed away peacefully Christmas morning, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, surrounded by close family.

Aunt Irene, which she was known as to nearly everyone, used all 88 years of her life making Butler County a better, healthier and friendlier place.

Born Feb. 27, 1937, Irene was a proud lifelong Butler resident, spending 37 years working for Butler Hospital. She served the last half her career there in the OR, where she became the leader of the orthopedic team. She also worked in the orthopedic doctors office for about 16 years after her retirement from the hospital. In 1993, the Butler Hospital School of Nursing Alumni honored her by recognizing her as nurse of the year.

Irene’s stellar reputation for excellence, knowledge and experience would sometimes lead to OR doctors scheduling their procedures on days they knew she was there to ensure a smooth operation for their patients.

In addition to her amazing career in health care, Irene was also an amazing wife to her husband, Carl. The two married in 1960, and raised two wonderful daughters, Lisa Divers Baker and Amy Divers.

Her strong work ethic permeated her entire family, instilling a sense of pride and accomplishment for jobs well done. It also allowed her to express her opinions, which, of course, were always the right ones.

The oldest of nine children, Irene was born and raised on the family farm in Mount Chestnut, where her mother, Mama, would gather eggs and sell them to help pay for Irene’s nursing school. At age 15, she won the tractor handling competition at the Butler Farm Show. Until a few months ago, Irene still could be found working in the kitchen washing dishes by hand, a dishcloth over her shoulder and a paper towel stuck in her sleeve.

But it was her genuine care and compassion for people that stood out more than anything else. No matter how busy she was, Irene always had a minute to sit and make sure you were doing OK. A gentle smile, warm hug and understanding nod of the head was heartfelt and made everything seem better, whether it was getting over a major surgery or simply having a bad day.

In addition to her husband and two daughters, Irene loved her son-in-law, Greg; and granddaughter, Lauren, who followed in her footsteps and became a nurse. Additionally, Irene leaves the cooking and cleaning duties to two sisters, Barbara and Antoinette; and her five brothers John, Amil, Carly, Gene and Steve. To say the kitchen will lack the cleanliness of an operating room would be unfair, because she set the standard so high.

Keeping her calendars updated each year ensured no birthday, anniversary or special day was missed, and oftentimes, the family would consult Irene’s calendar to make sure everyone was on the same page. The calendars actually served as a family history. Sadly, the post office may need to raise the price of stamps without her continued business of sending cards to everyone for every occasion, moving forward.

Her dozens of nephews and nieces surely will miss her pastries and broccoli soup, which, like everything else, she mastered with passion and zeal. Texas sheet cake was often compared to a wonder drug, and her friends and neighbors also will miss these treats, as she was known to drop by with that or a coffee cake during times of distress.

Irene was preceded in death by her mother, “Mama” Lesney; father, “Tata” Lesney; her wonderful sister, Mary McCarthy; nephew, Todd; and brother-in-law, Keith McCarthy. You can be certain they are all embraced arm in arm, cheering for the Steelers, booing the Ravens and smiling on the rest of the family.

DIVERS — A visitation for Irene (Lesney) Divers, who died Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, at THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E. North St., Butler.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at North Street Christian Church, 226 W. North St., Butler, with Pastors Jake Klutinoty and Jeff Miller officiating.

A committal service and burial will take place at Butler County Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Irene’s memory to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 8th Ave., 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001, https://alzfdn.org/donate.

Staff in the memory care unit of New Haven will miss her. Everyone there was amazing with her, as well as with her family.

All who knew Irene are encouraged to share memories and upload photos to her unique remembrance page at www.thompson-miller.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.