Irene Romano
Irene Romano – Liverpool Blitz Survivor, Homemaker, Conservationist, & Community Volunteer
Irene Romano, age 95, of Randolph, MA., a loved and cherished mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2023, after a brief illness.
Irene was born in Seaforth, England on August 18, 1927, to Jane (Wood) Wilkinson and Joshua Lee Wilkinson. Irene was a teenager during the Liverpool Blitz, the heavy and sustained bombing of Liverpool and its surrounding area, during the Second World War by the German Luftwaffe. This experience influenced her commitment to civic duty.
During WWII, Irene met her future husband, Robert F. Romano at a dance in Liverpool. After the war ended in 1945 their romance blossomed and in 1947, she immigrated to the United States. Before coming to the United States, she earned a two-year degree in Export and Import Business. Irene and Robert were married several weeks after her arrival and were married for 56 years before Bob passed away in 2003. In 1955 they bought a home in Randolph, MA where they raised their three children and where Irene resided for 68 years until her death.
Irene was a homemaker and proud of all her children and grandchildren’s accomplishments. She was thrilled to have met her first great grandchild. She ensured her children were involved in many activities such as the boy scouts and girl scouts, dance lessons, music lessons, and athletics. She volunteered as a scout leader for many years, chaperoned camping trips, and walked in many Memorial Day parades. Irene was a competent seamstress and avid knitter. Additionally, she loved gardening and flowers and could be seen working in her yard well into her 90’s.
Irene was an ardent conservationist and served for many years on both the Randolph Conservation Commission and the Norfolk County Conservation District. She was very interested in supporting the Town of Randolph and its residents. She was a longstanding elected Town Meeting Member and a member of the Massachusetts Democratic Town Committee. She volunteered and served on multiple other town committees including the Planning Board (elected) and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Irene was also a longstanding member of the Randolph League of Women Voters.
In addition to her husband Bob, Irene was predeceased by her parents, brother Joshua ‘Noel’ Wilkinson, and oldest son Robert J. Romano. She is survived by her son, Stephen P. Romano, and his wife Mary McNeil, her daughter, Linda J. Romano and her husband James M. Hussey, granddaughter Katherine J. Romano, grandson Joshua J. Hussey and his fiancé, Kara L. Donahue, great-grandson, Axton T. Hussey, former daughter-in-law Joyce Biagini and her husband Dan Biagini and their daughter Julia, and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Hurley Funeral Home, 134 South Main Street, Randolph, MA 02368 on March 29, 2023 with Visiting Hours 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and a Service at 11:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.
Guestbook
First Name: Alexandra & Bill
Last Name: Alexopoulos
City: RANDOLPH
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 03/21/2023
Irene was a one of a kind and will be missed. We enjoyed her years of sharing her knowledge and research of every subject matter she undertook.
First Name: James
Last Name: McElroy
City: Randolph
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 03/21/2023
A true gift of selfless dedication and service to the Town of Randolph. Rest in Peace Irene and thank you.
First Name: James
Last Name: Burgess
City:
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 03/23/2023
Irene, my love of conservation, wetlands and our town was strengthened because of you. You were an educator from the beginning. To your family I am so sorry for thier loss. May you be comforted by the many stories and memories she has left.
First Name: Michelle
Last Name: Hamelburg
City: Randolph
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 03/25/2023
I am so sorry for your loss.
First Name: Lou
Last Name: Cicchese
City: East Weymouth
State: MA
Country: USA
Entry Date: 03/25/2023
Sorry to read about your mother,father and brother.Your Mother was a
very active person,one to be proud of. Hope you are well. Lou
First Name: George
Last Name: Berdos
City: Randolph
State: MA
Country: United States
Entry Date: 03/27/2023
My condolences to her family. I am grateful for the time we served on the ZBA together and the talks we had about land use planning and politics. I am a better person for having known her.
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Toomey
City: Parsonsfield
State: ME
Country: United States
Entry Date: 03/28/2023
Irene was a "fixture" in Randolph. She cared very much for the Town of Randolph and its residents. She will be greatly missed.
First Name: Carol
Last Name: Cronin
City: Randolph
State: MA
Country: United States
Entry Date: 03/29/2023
Irene was a true activist and very much a force to be reckoned with during her years of service to Randolph. Irene will be missed and surely Irreplaceable. Sorry to hear of your loss.
First Name: Mary
Last Name: Nelson
City: Randolph
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 04/06/2023
So sorry to here about Irene's passing. My heart goes out to the family What a beautiful soul. The stories she would tell when she came into the DPW Office. She new a lot about Randolph. She will be missed.