Irene Hogan Reese

To participate in the Live Stream of Irene's funeral service please follow this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taBhUEJuw0w

Irene Hogan Reese passed away peacefully at Agrace Hospice Care (Fitchburg) on January 14, 2024, at the age of 96 after a long, good life.  She was born in Madison on January 12, 1928, to Joseph A. Hogan and Mary A. Mooney.  She attended St. John’s school in Waunakee and Madison West High, followed by work as a secretary at the University of Wisconsin.

On August 14, 1948, she married Gordon F. Reese – a courtship that lasted through high school and into his time in the Navy at the end of World War II.  Gordon was the love of her life.  He preceded her in death on their 44th wedding anniversary in 1992.

Irene is survived by five of their six children:  Michael (Camille), Ann Behrens (Dennis), Daniel (Mary), Mary Catherine, and Christopher (Jennifer).  Her beloved son David died in November 2017.  She is also survived by her 15 grandchildren: Jefferey, Marc, Sarah, Jessica, Mackenzie, Kelly, Amy, Katie, Jim, Becky, Brendan, Aurora, Kara, Hailey, and Christian; as well as 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Gordon, son David, granddaughter Katherine Michelle, parents, three sisters, and two brothers.

Her favorite career was being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved to read, bake cookies, and dance – even learning to tap dance at age 59!  "All your cares are gone when you dance!"

Irene and Gordon loved to travel.  She visited Ireland 14 times and was proud of her 100% Irish heritage.  She was honored with the Dane County Shamrock Club "Irish Person of The Year" award in 1997.

In lieu of Flowers, the family requests donations to Agrace Hospice Care or the American Cancer Society.

Special thanks to Agrace Hospice Care and All Saints Assisted Living for their excellent care of Irene.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 26th, 2024, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison.  A visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass.  Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. 

To her family: "Keep the candy dish full!"

Quote from a tombstone in Ireland:

            Two tired eyes are sleeping

            Two dancing feet are still

            The one who worked so hard for us

            Is resting at God’s will