Irena Mickle
January 03, 1935 - August 07, 2016
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Irena Mickle
January 03, 1935 - August 07, 2016
Obituary
IRENA KURASIEWICZ MICKLE
Irena (Renee) Kurasiewicz Mickle passed away on August 7, 2016, in the presence of her children and husband after suffering from Alzheimer’s for several years.
Renee was born in North Tonawanda, New York, on January 3, 1935, to Adam and Charlotte Kurasiewicz. She graduated from the University of Buffalo with a BS in Nursing, after which she became a Navy Nurse, serving initially at St. Albans Naval Hospital and then Balboa Naval Hospital.
While serving at Balboa Naval Hospital, she met and married her husband, then LTJG William McEwen Mickle. Soon thereafter, she left the Navy and devoted herself to being a full time Navy wife and mother. In this role, she led her family through numerous moves to New London, CT; Charleston, SC; Washington, DC Metropolitan Area; Norfolk, VA; Pearl Harbor, HI; Naples, Italy; and Santiago, Chile. She later lived in Wheaton, IL and finally in Orange County, CA.
In addition to serving as a nurse in Charleston, Washington, and Santiago, Renee was a consummate actress, appearing in numerous Little Theater productions in Charleston, Naples, and Santiago. She also appeared and sang on a weekly radio show in Santiago. While in Santiago and pursuing her longstanding love of horses, she took up riding and performed in frequent competitions, winning a number of awards in dressage. Being very adept at learning languages, she taught at Berlitz upon her return from Chile. Other passions included gardening and animals, to which she devoted much time and treasure.
Renee is survived by her husband of 57 years; her sons William of Aurora, CO and Richard of Reston, VA; daughter Kathryn of Evanston, IL; grandchildren William, Anne, and David; brother Adam Kurasiewicz and nephew Jason, both of Wheaton, IL.
A reception will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, August 11, 2016, at O’Connor Mortuary, 25301 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. A memorial mass will be held in Northern Virginia and inurnment, including military honors, will follow at the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, both dates to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite pet charity would be appreciated.
2 responses to Irena Mickle
Carol Chatterton says:
August 14, 2016
I will always remember the happy times we had riding together in Santiago, Chile, as well as chilling out and drinking a “piscinita” of wine. Also her guidance during my pregnancy and presence at the birth of my daughter and her first years. My sincere condolences to Bill and family whom I haven’t seen in many years. May she rest in peace finally. Un abrazo. Carol Chatterton and daughter Irene Armstrong.
Birgit Noodt says:
August 16, 2016
Renee was a very special person, and though we only met her later in her life, we could still see her flamboyance, liveliness and above all her sense of humor not to speak of her natural beauty. Her love for nature and animals was exemplary. Sometimes we thought she must have had Indian ancestry, being such a gifted storyteller.
She was the reason why it was worth staying at Belleau Woods Court longer than expected. It was hard to see someone else living in her house, not to see her watering the garden and feeding the birds.
Dr. Birgit and Carsten Noodt