NORWICH – Irene P. Huckabone, 81, formerly of Norwich and most recently of Cazenovia, passed away Thursday evening, June 16, 2011, in the Community Memorial Hospital of Hamilton.
Born in January of 1930, in Oneida, Irene was the daughter of Emmett and Sarah Weaver Russell. She grew up in the Oxford area, where she attended and graduated from the Oxford schools. In her early working years, Irene was employed by the corset factory. Most recently she had worked for the ARC, both on East Main Street and in the residence on North Broad Street. She was a lady who loved to laugh and could make friends anywhere. A good-hearted and happy-go-lucky person, she was adored by the residents of the ARC home and enjoyed her job there. For her last six months, she had resided in Cazenovia. Prior to that, she lived for 10-15 years in Graceview Manor in Norwich and spent some time in the Munnsville area.
On June 27, 1959, in Preston, Irene married Samuel Huckabone. She is survived by her daughter and son: Audrey Furlong and companion Roy Hall of Hamilton, and Mark Huckabone and wife Vicki of Norwich. Also surviving are her sisters: Arlene Campbell of Norwich, Doris Crouch of Bainbridge, and Marion Huckabone of Watkins Glen; her brothers: Stewart Russell and wife Carleta of Oxford and Jr. Russell and wife Nancy of the Carolinas; her grandchildren: Joshua, Jeremy, and Bobbi Jo Schapp, John, Heather, and Sam Furlong, and Dylan Huckabone; 10 great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Irene was predeceased by her husband, Sam, on July 17, 1992; by her daughter, Debbie Schapp and her three children, Michael, Matthew, and Nicole Schapp; and by her brother, Stan Russell.
Funeral services for Irene will be held at noon on Thursday at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Brad Keator of the Chenango Christian Church of Norwich will officiate. Interment will be in the J.D. Lewis Cemetery of Preston. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Thursday from 10 a.m. until noon.