Irene (Feeney) Tuttle obituary

Irene (Feeney) Tuttle
1925 – 2018

CANAAN — Irene (Feeney) Tuttle passed away peacefully at her home Friday, Jan. 26, 2018, surrounded by her small, but loving, family. In that moment, we know God put his loving arms around her and finally called her home. She was 92 years old.
Irene was born in Canaan on May 26, 1925, to Simon and Ethel (Allen) Feeney.

She was a graduate of Skowhegan High School and attended Skowhegan Business School. She worked at F.W. Woolworth for nearly 50 years. If you grew up in the Skowhegan area during the Woolworth years, you probably knew her.
She was the devoted wife of the late Bernard Tuttle, with whom she shared a challenging, courageous, fun-loving 57 years of marriage (to the day). When Bernard would get under her skin (as he often did), you’d hear her exclaim “Bernard, my aching tugboat–you’re worse than a kid!”
Together they enjoyed annual visits with their daughter’s family in California. While there, Irene took care of the house and did all of the cooking, giving Trudy, Norm, and Zach a much-appreciated break. She enjoyed their travels to San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, the California Redwoods, Oregon, Hawaii and many other destinations, She had an adventurous spirit and was up for anything.
She was destined to be a caregiver. She was the eldest of four children and 20 years-old when her father died, leaving her the de facto head of household. He made her promise she would get her brother and sisters through high school, and she did. Even after she married, she remained in the family home to continue caring for her mother.
In 1969, at age 42, Bernard suffered a brain aneurysm that left him disabled. Irene begrudgingly learned to drive, and became Bernard’s taxi service. He liked to keep her on the road far more than she liked to drive. She was thankful for the folks in town, who would stop by and take Bernard on rides (to anywhere), most notably his brother, Arvell, and Stanley Burrill. She repaid such thoughtfulness by hosting tripe dinners, even though she wouldn’t touch the stuff herself.
Irene attended Canaan Calvary Church, where she wrapped herself in the fellowship of her church family. She walked through life with a solid, quiet faith that was inspiring. She believed and often said, “God will not give us more than we can handle.”
Irene never had an easy row in life. She faced life’s challenges without complaining and with more grace than anyone else we have ever known. She put others’ needs ahead of her own and focused on what was truly important — overlooking life’s little irritations and distractions. When something didn’t go just right, she would say, “It won’t make a bit of difference a hundred years from now.” She was happy with what she had and never asked for more. She loved to laugh and had a smile that lit up her whole face.
She was a rock — the stable center of our family during every storm. She loved unconditionally.
She had a special place in her heart for all children and must have babysat for nearly every child in our extended family at one time or another. She babysat for neighbors, too. Gosh, I hope there are babies in Heaven for her to rock.
She loved people and would talk at length to strangers she met on an airplane, while riding the bus, or anywhere she came in contact with a potential new friend.
Irene will be sadly missed by her loving daughter, Trudy Tuttle Hart, and her husband Norm Hart of Canaan; her grandson and loving caregiver, Zach Hart of Canaan; her great-grandsons, Isaac, Asher and Micah Hart, all of Canaan; and many special nieces and nephews.
She was pre-deceased by her husband, her parents, a brother Allen, and sisters Evelyn Budrow, and Betty Ikemire; and her granddaughter-in-law, Tara Hart.
There will be no funeral. A memorial service to celebrate Irene’s life was held Feb. 10 at the Canaan Calvary Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Irene’s honor may be made to the Canaan Calvary Church, P.O. Box 6, Canaan, ME 04924, or to any other charity of one’s choice.