Irene Jefferson was the third of four children born to Louis Napoleon Jefferson and M. Olivine Mireault Jefferson on 10 Apr 1901. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, she was a life long West Springfield resident. Irene was valedictorian of her 1919 high School class and attended Mount Holyoke College for two years, working as a teacher in between. She earned a BA from Boston University and while on a year's sabbatical, she earned a Master's Degree in History from American University in Washington, DC. She taught in Park Ave, Main St. Junior and Senior High Schools in West Springfield during her 40 year career. The polio virus took away the use of Irene's right arm at age two; however,this disability never stopped her. She was one of the first disabled persons to earn a driver's license in 1920 with the aid of blinkers imported from England. She drove up and down Mt. Washington and to her mother's remote home town of Chertsey, Quebec. She was an accomplished seamstress, knitter, crocheter, tatter and chef. She was famous for her "Dutch Uncle" talks with her students, always encouraging them to further their education. She and her brother Frank supported their mother Olivine and much younger sister Reta after their father died in 1936. Irene never married. She and her brother served as Town Meeting members for 3 years starting in 1950. In 1956 she and Frank obtained a building permit to build a 6 room house in the West Springfield. Irene, Frank & Olivine moved from their beloved Main St. home of nearly 60 years to the completed new home in 1960. She retired from teaching in 1962. Even into her 90's her voice was always young in vibrant in spite of her many physical challenges. Irene Jefferson passed away peacefully in her sleep on 9 Apr 1993, one day before her 92nd birthday. She is survived by her sister Reta Nolan and niece and namesake Irene Jefferson Nolan. Her parents and her brothers Albert J and Frank C. predeceased her.