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Light a Candle
Irene Holub January 25, 1926 – March 14, 2019 Irene Holub, 93, of Corrales, NM and formerly of Cranford, NJ passed away peacefully in her sleep, at home, on March 14, 2019. Born in Huta Stepanska, Poland, Irene Burawski was the second oldest of five children. When World War II broke out in 1939, her father, Wladyslaw, was taken by the Russians to Siberia. 2 years later, her older brother Janek, was killed by Ukrainian militia while defending the town. In 1943, Irene and her family sought refuge in the local church while their village was being attached by Ukrainians. During a break in the weather, she and her family escaped with nothing except the clothes they were wearing. They were captured by the German army and forced to work at a German farm for the remainder of the war. Once the war ended, Irene, along with her mother, Frances, sister, Janina and brothers Henry and Chester were housed at the Watenstedt displaced persons camp in Germany. Irene volunteered to be a nurse’s aide on the USAT General S. D. Sturgis which transported refugees all over the world, including stops in New Orleans, Australia and South America. Eventually, in 1947, Irene received permission to immigrate to the United States. She started her life as a maid in Glen Ridge, N.J. After that, she worked at the Conmar Zipper factory and lived in a small apartment on Christie Street in Newark, N.J. that had no heat or hot water. She arranged for her mother and siblings to join her in Newark. Unfortunately, her father was unable to join the family because he acquired tuberculosis and was ineligible to immigrate. She was introduced to Edward Holub by mutual friends and they were married on July 26, 1956 in St. Casimir’s church, Newark NJ. They resided in Irvington, NJ until 1973 and then Cranford, NJ. Her husband, Edward passed away on July 31, 2001. Irene relocated to Corrales, NM in 2006, following her retirement from Bambergers/Macy’s. She is survived by her son, Edward and his wife, Libby, daughter, Basia and her husband Vince, his sons, Tyler and Josh and her grandson, Zach and his wife Sofie. Irene will be remembered as a strong woman, fiercely independent and a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She lived a long, productive and glorious life. Although her body gave out, at the end, she still had all her mental faculties, including her fabulous sense of humor. No funeral or services are planned as Irene donated her body to science. A gathering has been planned on Sunday, March 24, 2019 from 4-7 pm at Irene’s home at 1 Santa Ana Trail, Corrales, NM to celebrate Irene and her life and to marvel at her collection of Polish folk art. As a lifelong frugalist, her wish was for persons who care not to waste money on flowers or donations.
