WEBSTER - Irene (Tomaszek) Kokocinski, 87, passed peacefully Tuesday, March 12, 2013 after a brief illness. Her loving family was at her bedside.

She leaves her husband Edward Kokocinski and her children Philip Charbonneau and his wife Marjie of Webster,  Jay Charbonneau of Altadena, CA and Joy Pizzetti and her husband Michael of Pomfret, CT

Irene leaves five grandchildren Christopher  Hajec, Todd Hajec, Glenn C. Charbonneau, Abby Charbonneau and Corrine Charbonneau, one great grandson Cameron Gaboury and many nieces and nephews. Irene is predeceased by her parents Albert and Mary (Koskta) Tomaszek, her son Glenn Charbonneau in 1967 and her sisters Helen Taft and Florence Bourdeau.

She was born in Webster and lived here all her life. Irene was a proud graduate of Bartlett High School, LaSalle Jr. College and Annhurst College.

She retired from a career of teaching at Bartlett High School in 1985. At Bartlett she served as Chairwoman of the Business Dept. She was a founding member of the Webster Education Association and served as secretary until her retirement. Irene also served as a member of the Webster School Committee , Board of Directors at Hubbard Hospital, Webster Democratic Town Committee, and Democratic State Committee ... She loved politics. Irene was selected as the Patriot "Woman of the Year” in 1992. She served as a trustee of the Chester Corbin Library in Webster and was also a member of the committee for construction of Webster Middle School. Her slogan was “If it is good for the children, I'm for it." 

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the staff of intensive care unit at Harrington Hospital in Southbridge for their compassion and care. They would also like to thank Irene's caregivers at Home Staff.

A funeral will be held Saturday at 9 AM from Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, 33 Schofield Ave. Dudley with a Mass at 10:30 AM in St. Joseph’s Basilica, 53 Whitcomb St., Webster.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Garden Of Peace, Webster.  Calling hours at the funeral home are Friday from 5 to 8 PM. In lieu of flowers donations to St. Joseph School Fund may be made to St. Joseph’s Basilica, 53 Whitcomb St., Webster, MA 01570 www.bartelfuneralhome.com

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