Irene Mae Chlapowski

Irene Mae (Carpenter) Chlapowski, 93, of Worcester, MA, and Floral City and St. Petersburg, Florida passed away peacefully at the Jewish Healthcare Center in Worcester on January 5, 2013. She was predeceased by her first husband, Alfred Daoust, second husband, Gregory Chlapowski, a brother, Joseph Carpenter, a daughter, Maryann Angus, and a son Donald Chlapowski. She is survived by a son, Gregory Chlapowski of Exeter, New Hampshire; a daughter Paula Walker of St. Petersburg, Florida; several grandchildren; a great-grandson and many nieces and nephews. Born on September 12, 1919 in Worcester,she was the daughter of James and Rose (LaPlante) Carpenter. Irene was a Licensed Practical Nurse for twenty years, until her retirement in 1981. An important part of Irene's life was dancing and social gatherings. Throughout her entire life, she was an avid traveler and adventurist touring forty-nine of the fifty states as well as the Galapagos Islands, Australia, and many parts of Europe. Following her retirement, she went on an African safari. At age 65 and beyond, she went parasailing, scuba diving, and hot air ballooning. Following these ventures, she went white-water rafting and tandem parachuted 10,500 ft. out of an airplane. While living in Florida, her busy social life included serving on the Friends of the Floral City Library, Adopt a Highway Committee, Withlopka Island Crafts Club, St. Jude (Florida) Bereavement Support Group, Cursillo Movement-Diocese of St. Petersburg, and AARP. Irene's family wishes to thank the staff on the fifth floor of the Jewish healthcare center for the many years of high level care they always extended to Irene. Their care and extra efforts were most appreciated. Donations in Irene's name may be made to the Fifth Floor, Jewish Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury Street, Worcester, Ma 01609 Attn: Martina Calling hours at the Mercadante Funeral Home and Chapel, 370 Plantation St., Worcester are from 9:30 to 10:30 on January 30th 2013 followed by a procession to St. Aloysius - St. Jude Church, 489 Pleasant St., Leicester, MA. where her Celebration of Her Life Mass will be held at 11:00 am. Burial in Notre Dame Cemetery will be private.