Irene (Ogrodowczyk) Moyer

Irene Moyer, 95, peacefully joined her beloved mother Leokadia and husband Clarence in heaven with her loving family by her side on December 28, 2018.  She was born in Mankiewicz, Poland on May 17, 1923 to Josef and Leokadia (Strzelec) Ogrodowczyk.

When Irene was six years old, her father died leaving mother and daughter inseparable until Leokadia’s death in 1984. The two lived in Stolin, Poland for approximately 16 years, where Irene attended school.  During World War II, Irene and her mother fled Poland and escaped to a Transit Camp in the British Zone, in Hamburg, Germany, where Irene married her first husband, Czeslaw (Chester) Szymanski.  In 1949, Leokadia was sponsored to immigrate to America, and in 1951 she brought Irene, Chester, and their daughter Zofia (Sophia) to Frackville, PA.  Everyone then moved to Reading, PA where Irene’s daughter Christine was born, and Leokadia married Mikita Kosmina.  Irene loved America very much and was thankful to live here, even while continuing to love her native Poland.

Irene worked hard in various industries and attended night school, while raising her two daughters with her mother’s help.  While at Western Electric/AT&T, she met Clarence W. Moyer, a toolmaker, whom she married in June 1972.  After 26 years, Irene retired as a technician from AT&T in 1985.  She and Clarence lived on 17 acres in Fleetwood, PA and planted an orchard of fruit and nut trees, and her favorite blueberry bushes.  Irene made delicious blueberry pies and various desserts, which are still remembered today.

Irene and Clarence loved taking long walks around the countryside using walking sticks Clarence made.  They delighted in sharing their cabin in Sullivan County with family and friends.  They enjoyed traveling to many states throughout the United States before moving to Sinking Spring, PA in 1999, where Clarence passed away in 2003.

Irene always had many interests including sewing, gardening, baking, needlepoint, and reading current events.  After retirement she crocheted and cross-stitched many beautiful keepsakes.  Irene even began piano lessons at the age of 82.

Irene loved her family dearly; she was our matriarch; always putting family first, always encouraging and supportive.  Over the years, she enjoyed traveling to South Carolina and Tennessee to visit family.  She treasured times spent with great-grandchildren as they sang, danced, played piano, and made her drawings and paintings.  She adored the hugs and kisses from Mary and Rachael of South Carolina.

She is survived by two daughters:  Sophia Diane Soltysik of Sinking Spring, wife of Joseph; Christine M. Quell of Shillington, wife of Barry; four grandchildren, Richard Quell of California; Michelle (Soltysik) of South Carolina, wife of Brett Johnson; Renee (Quell) of Kutztown, wife of John Perella; Andrea (Soltysik) of Tennessee, wife of Herbert Kupfer; and five great-grandchildren: Nicholas, 16, Julia, 13, Lauren, 8 (Perella); and Mary, 5, Rachael, 19 months (Johnson).  Irena von Neumann, a cousin, still survives in Germany. 

A private memorial service will be held for family.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to the National Veterans Foundation.

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