Irene O. (Beliveau) Rooney

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Irene O. (Beliveau) Rooney, of Warwick, died at home on Wednesday, May 6, 2015. She was the wife of John T. Rooney for 60 years, and was his high school sweetheart at Hope High School.

Born in Providence in 1933, a daughter of the late Leo and Monica (Haley) Beliveau, she lived in Warwick since 1956. Irene was a kind and loving person always striving to help others. She loved hosting large summer parties around the pool and playing games in the yard. Christmas gatherings were some of her favorite days, hosting all sides of the family. She was a wonderful bowler, and enjoyed the ladies leagues at Meadowbrook and Airport Lanes for many years. She also golfed in the Warwick Women’s Golf at the old Sea View course. Irene was a member of the Warwick Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary and the Greenwood Ladies Sewing Club, which was a real gabfest. She was the backbone of her husband’s service in the Warwick community, and was a driving force in the effort to make the House of Hope a leader in ending homelessness in the state.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, Kevin Rooney (WFD, Ret.) and his wife, Nancy of Exeter; two daughters, Colleen Rooney of Warwick, and Michaela Murphy and her husband, William, of Warwick; a sister, Rita McCall of Water Oakes, Florida and a brother, Leo Beliveau of Warwick. She was the sister of the late Kay Hopkins. She was the proud and loving Nana to Ashley, John, and Michael Murphy, Allison Rooney, and Brittni and Jordan Lombardi.

Her funeral was held on Monday, May 11, from the Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue, Spring Green, Warwick, with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Clement Church, 111 Long Street, Warwick. Burial was in the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter.

In lieu of flowers, contributions made in her memory to the House of Hope, 3188 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886 would be appreciated. www.barrettandcotter.com