Irene J. DiPadua

Irene J. (Caika) DiPadua, 97, of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. 

Her husband of 53 years, Leo F. DiPadua, died in 2012. Irene is survived by many nieces and nephews, including her caregivers Donna Laramee and her husband Kenneth of Leicester, Linda Aho of Holden, and Jane Faucher of Shrewsbury. 

Irene was born in Worcester to the late, Frank and Josephine (Piasta) Caika. Irene was predeceased by her brothers, Sigmond and Stanley Caika; and her sisters, Sophie Demarski, Charlotte Chaplis, Josephine Setterland, and Frances Kaminski. 

Irene enjoyed the simple things in life. Among them were regular walks with Leo, bowling, bingo nights, and jigsaw puzzles. She enjoyed lunches with her nieces and trips to IHOP with Ken. She loved watching the birds and animals in her yard. No bird, woodchuck, chipmunk, rabbit or skunk ever went hungry in Irene’s yard. Besides birdseed, she even bought a loaf of French bread every week for her feathered friends.

Irene had a kind heart, giving to many charities. In her earlier years she was a volunteer nurse’s aide for the American Red Cross. Later in life she made over 100 dresses for children in third world countries.

The family would like to acknowledge the kind and compassionate care Irene received from the staff at Christopher Heights and the JHC Hospice team.

Irene was a member of Saint Anne’s Church. A visiting hour will be held on Tuesday, November 26, from 10 to 11am with a Funeral Service at 11am at MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. Interment will immediately follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.