R. Irene (Rhoades) Clarke, 92, a longtime resident of Framingham, formerly of Amherst, MA., died April 14, 2022 following a period of declining health.  Born in Northampton, she was the daughter of the late Harry G. and Rosella (Ice) Rhoades.  She attended Northampton High School and Northampton Commercial College. 

Irene was active in volunteering with church and community organizations in Hampshire County.  She worked many years as an Administrative Assistant in the Civil Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts – Amherst.  Following her retirement, she began a second career, becoming the Volunteer Coordinator for Hospice of Hampshire County. 

She moved to Framingham in 2000 and continued to volunteer with the Red Cross and Friends of Framingham Library.  Her interests included genealogy - where she traced her roots to Richard Warren and the Mayflower; baseball – GO SOX!; writing; and baking chocolate cookies for her friends and acquaintances.

She was a member of the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants (Richard Warren line) and member of the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association of Massachusetts.

Irene is survived by her daughter, Dr. R. Mimi Secor, five grandchildren and several great grandchildren, and companion John Rechel.  She was preceded in death by her son, Bryan L Clarke, Sr. 

Family and friends will honor and remember Irene’s life by gathering for visiting hours in the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home on Saturday afternoon, April 16th from 12:30-2:30pm.  Her ashes will be interred later in a private ceremony in Florence, MA.

Remembrances may be made in Irene’s name to: Hampshire County Hospice Inc., 168 Industrial Dr., Northampton, MA 01060, www.cooleydickinson.org.