Irene Ruth Bartlett died on February 28, 2024 after a long illness at the age of 75. She was born in Detroit on February 7, 1949. Irene is preceded in death by her parents Ellys Claude Bartlett and Jacqueline Doris Jackson Bartlett, and her brother James Miachel Bartlett.
Irene graduated at the top third of her high school class at Lee High School in Huntsville, Alabama in 1968. While in high school Irene participated for four years with the Rocket City Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. She also worked for three years as a magician assistant with Carl Hugans and his son traveling through northern Alabama and southern Tennessee.
Irene was a youth member of the Baha’i faith during high school. She also was confirmed with the Lutheran Church per her parents request. She participated with the Unitarian Universalist Church of the rededication of the Selma Montgomery March. Irene also was associated with the Alabama Democratic National Party.
When Irene moved to Grand Rapids, MI she attended the Grand Rapids Junior College under the community Action Program. She worked for four years as a teacher’s assistant in the inner city Alexander and Vandenberg Elementary Schools. During that time she participated in the March that took place in Washington, DC against the Vietnam War. Irene graduated in September of 1973 from the Grand Rapids Junior College with an Associate of Arts degree in early childhood education.
In 1974 Irene was in Washington State where she worked as a teacher’s aide with The Group Home School Project that was started by The University of Puget Sound. The program was designed to work with autistic children. After leaving that position Irene became a case worker with the State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services in Tacoma/Seattle Washington.
In December of 1975 Irene graduated from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work and Geology.
After she moved to Bellingham, Washington to attend Graduate School at Western Washington University. Unfortunately, he was unable to finish classes because her mother died out of state and she went to help her father.
Irene will be laid to rest beside her parents and brother in Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville. Rev. Mike Brinkman will preside over a graveside service Thursday, March 21, at 11:00.
One of Irene’s final requests was that donations be made to Harbor Humane Society, 14345 Bagley Street, West Olive, MI, or Harris Home, 1210 Church Street NW, Huntsville, AL.
