Irene Carol passed away peacefully on March 5, 2021, with family members at her side.  She was 101 years old.  She was born in Gary, Indiana, March 4, 1920.  She is predeceased by her loving husband of 71 years, Rudy (Rudolph) Carol, and her parents, John and Josephine Lewandowski.  She is survived by her three children: Dennis (Patricia) Carol, Kathleen Carol, and Eileen Carol. Her four grandchildren are David Dombrowski, Brian Dombrowski, Jodi Darren, and Christine Shaklik. Great grandchildren are Ross Dombrowski, Dara Dombrowski, Taylor Shaklik, and Ryan Shaklik.

After graduating from Lew Wallace High School in Gary, Irene attended Indiana University Business College. She was a professional bookkeeper for a large department store in Gary, and later for the automotive and food service industries.  She retired from Bethlehem Steel Corp. in Burns Harbor, Indiana.

Irene was a former member of the Timberlost Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America and also a sponsor of the Junior Izaak Walton League (national conservation organizations).  She was a former Girl Scout leader for more than ten years, and the social activities director for the Catholic Youth Organization of St. Mark Catholic Church in Gary.

Irene had an athletic and competitive spirit.  In her youthful years, she was a pitcher for a girls' softball team and also played golf.  In her senior years, at age 73, she took up tennis and even won a trophy for women's doubles in a local tennis league.

Irene and Rudy were accomplished ballroom dancers for more than 50 years, winning many trophies for their talented dance skills.  Most of all they had a love of the out-of-doors. Nearly all family activities included camping, fishing, boating, waterskiing, and swimming. They also loved to travel and vacationed in many countries including Egypt, China, Greece, and Mexico. In 2008, they relocated to Sarasota, FL, to live closer to family members.

Irene will always be remembered for her adventurous and competitive spirit as well as for her loving and generous heart.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Irene Carol will be held on Monday, March 22, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. (ET) at Incarnation Catholic Church, 2929 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34239.

All Covid protocols will be followed.

Interment of her body will take place in Hobart, Indiana, in a family cemetery plot. There will be no prior viewing of the body.

The Mass will also be live streamed on March 22, at 1:00 p.m. (ET) on www.incarnationchurch.org

Because the church is now in the Lenten season, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to:

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Incarnation Catholic Church

2929 Bee Ridge Road

Sarasota, FL 34239

Or

Incarnation Catholic School

2911 Bee Ridge Road

Sarasota, FL 34239