Irene Gorski Obituary

Irene Gorski (née Sweeney) passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 24, 2025, at the age of eighty-seven. Born in London in 1938 to Patrick and Kathleen Sweeney (née MaGuinness), she spent part of her childhood in Ireland during World War II, having relocated to a family farm while her father served in England as part of an anti-aircraft unit. After the war, Irene returned to London and later emigrated to the United States at the age of twenty-two, arriving with just two hundred dollars.

Irene found employment in New Jersey for a brief period before taking a bus across the country to California. She worked in customer service in Oakland, California, before meeting her future husband, Ray Gorski. The two married in 1967 on Treasure Island Naval Base.

In addition to raising three sons, Irene worked as a secretary and volunteered for an organization called Friends Outside that assisted the families of incarcerated individuals. Irene was passionate about her British and Irish heritage and could be found with a cup of tea and a good book on most evenings.

Except for a brief period in Michigan, Ray and Irene resided in Walnut Creek and Alamo. They raised three sons, all of whom graduated from Monte Vista High School and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Ray and Irene devoted their time to traveling, hosting social events, and engaging with their family. In 2015, they moved to Rossmoor, where Irene actively participated in organizations such as the Daughters of the British Empire and spent quality time with her grandchildren.

Irene approached numerous medical challenges with determination and resilience, addressing these obstacles without complaint or self-pity. Even during advanced stages of dementia, she maintained her composure and frequently greeted visitors with a smile or a gesture of kindness, demonstrating remarkable strength throughout her illness.

Irene was predeceased by her husband, who passed away two weeks prior. Ray visited Irene daily at the Willows Assisted Living facility, where she resided. Their enduring relationship demonstrated a profound commitment to marriage and a wish to remain connected beyond life.

Survived by: sons Michael, John, and Steve; daughters-in-law Kimberly, Anna, and Lindsey; grandchildren Luke, Jackson, Ziva, Noelle, Evan, Madeline, Cara, and Cole; and many extended family members.

A Celebration of Life for Irene and Ray will be held at St. Anne's Church, 1600 Rossmoor Pkwy, Walnut Creek, on July 30, 2025, at 11:00a.m.