Dennis Funeral Homes

IRENE BALFE, age 99 of Waterville, died on Monday, October 18, 2010 at the Waterville Good Samaritan Center.

Born February 12, 1911 on the family farm in Kilkenny, Irene was the daughter of Henry and Mary (Hiller) Miller.  Growing up, she attended grade school in Kilkenny, high school in Waterville, and then continued on to college to become a teacher.  Upon graduation, she returned to Kilkenny to teach until she married James Arthur Balfe on June 7, 1932 at St. Canice Catholic Church in Kilkenny.  In 1942, Irene and James purchased the Waterville Oil & Gas Co.  Irene worked as bookkeeper for the business until she and her husband retired in 1972.  Irene and James liked to travel, and spent many years wintering in Edinburg, Texas.  Irene enjoyed canning, cooking, knitting, and playing bridge with friends.  She was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville.

She is survived by one daughter, Dorothy Douthit of Honolulu, Hawaii; four grandchildren, James Douthit and his partner Chris Houghtaling of Boston, MA, Susan O’Shea of Honolulu, HI, John (Mary) McGuigan III of Madison, WI, and Jennifer McGuigan of Carterville, IL; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Gordon (Vangie) Miller of Kilkenny; and one sister-in-law, Doris Miller of Waterville.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 69 years, James; her daughter, Judy McGuigan; and her son-in-law, John McGuigan.

Visitation will be held from 4-7PM on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at Prosch-Dennis Funeral Home in Waterville, and will continue for one hour before services at the church on Friday.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30AM on Friday, October 22, 2010 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville, with Rev. Michael Ince officiating.  Interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Waterville.