Ronayne, Irene C.

Irene McMahon Ronayne, 93, of Plano, Texas, surrounded by family, was gathered into God’s arms on June 26, 2013.  Irene was born on March 31, 1920, in Denver, Colorado, to Philip Bernard McMahon and Irene Catherine Hawkinson.  She grew up in Denver, receiving her primary and secondary education there.  Irene chose Denver University to pursue a degree in psychiatric sociology.  She was a brilliant student, earning membership in the National Honor Society, and then being designated Panhellenic Council Representative for Beta Phi Alpha Sorority at Denver University.  On September 19, 1940, during her senior year, she married Leo John Ronayne, a Chemical Engineering major at the Colorado School of Mines.   Irene is survived by five children and their spouses whom she referred to as her “silver platter children”.  Ed and Yon Sik Ronayne of Plano, Texas; Ann Ronayne of Morgan Hill, California; Dick and Barbara Ronayne Robie of Lake Jackson, Texas; Tom and Ange Ronayne of Sweeny, Texas; Tim and Victoria Ronayne Sublette of Allen, Texas.   Irene is also survived by 35 grandchildren, spouses and great grandchildren.   Irene was preceded in death by her husband of seventy years, Leo John Ronayne, and her eldest son, Leo John Ronayne III (“Johnny”).   In 1941, John Ronayne was hired by Phillips Petroleum Company, and for the next fourteen years, the Ronaynes moved first to Borger, Texas, then to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and back to Borger, finally settling in Borger in 1955.  Irene and John were active in serving their church and community.  In 2000, the Borger News-Herald conferred its Unsung Heroes Award upon Irene and John for their decades of selfless public service.  Highlights of that service include the founding of TRIAD, a cooperative effort among the sheriff’s department, three police departments, and the senior citizens of Hutchinson County to promote the safety and welfare of the area’s elderly.  After her children were reared and on their own, Irene, at age 55, became an LVN and served as an emergency room nurse, cardiac care nurse and medications nurse at the hospital in Borger, later becoming a school nurse at St. John’s Catholic School.   After John’s retirement, Irene loved to travel the world with him, eventually visiting five of the seven continents.  In 2006, they relocated to Plano, Texas, remaining active in their church and community.   Irene enthusiastically enjoyed bridge, square dancing, reading, baking, and travel, and she continued to serve her family as mother and mentor until the time of her death.  It is significant to note that, in honor of her father, who was a Rotarian, Irene became a Paul Harris Fellow.  Irene lived a long, beautiful life and was a gift from God to family, friends, her church and community, and to many whom she never met.   Visitation and a Rosary will be June 30, 2013, 6 to 8 pm at  Aria Cremations Chapel, 19310 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas.    A funeral Mass, will be celebrated, 10 am, July 1, 2013, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Plano, Texas. Pallbearers and gift bearers are her 13 grandchildren.  A graveside service for Mrs. Ronayne, and the remains of her late husband, John Ronayne, will follow on July 2, 2013, 9:30 am, at Highland Park Cemetery in Borger, Texas. A memorial celebration will be held in Borger at a later date.   The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be considered for two worthy causes dear to Irene: Wounded Warrior Project https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=72&campaignSource=WEBSITE&source=HONOR Nadine Melancon c/o Capuchin Missionaries P.O. Box 197 Solvang, CA 93464 Check memo line: “For Fr. Mike Ronayne’s projects”