Irene M. Wilson

ORANGE – Irene Marie Wilson, 73, of Wilson Drive passed away on Friday, March 23, 2018 at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, surrounded by her husband and family, after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Born February 27, 1945 in Barre, she was the daughter of Albert F. and Emma (Stevens) Downing.

Irene attended elementary school in East Topsham and graduated from Bradford Academy with the class of 1963.

On October 8, 1966 she married Ernest Wilson, Sr.   Following their marriage, they made their home in Orange. Irene was a homemaker.

Irene was a member of the West Topsham Community Church. She enjoyed puzzles, bird watching, gardening, berry picking, farm animals, hunting, fishing, watching her favorite television shows and most of all, time spent with her family.

Survivors include her husband, Ernest Wilson, Sr.; her children Suzanne Craige and her husband, KC of East Barre; Rosanne DeForge of So. Ryegate; Ernest Wilson, Jr., of Orange; Sara Wilson of Orange; Kevin Wilson of Orange; and Alice Danforth and her husband, Justin of So. Ryegate; her grandchildren Elmer DeForge III and his partner Katie Merrill; Brittany Roberts; Ashley Roberts; Felicia DeForge; Dakoyta Wilson; and Matt Danforth; her great-grandson Bryson Fletcher; her siblings Alberta Sweet; Janice Emerson; Sharon Emerson and her husband, Ralph; Patricia Flint; Joyce Mayette; Shirley Montandon; Eddie Downing; Richard Downing and his wife, Tracey; Dusty Downing and his wife, Eva; her sisters-in-law Marie Downing; Patty Ruggles; and Audrey Downing; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sons-in-law Toby Roberts and Elmer DeForge II; her siblings Donald Downing; Jessie Gilman and her husband, Roger; Jaime Downing and his wife, Isabel; George Downing and his wife, Madeline; and Ethelyn Paraflyn; her brothers-in-law Walter Sweet; Donald Emerson; Paul Flint; Gordon Mayette; Henry Montandon; and her sister-in-law Nanetta Downing.

Services will be held later in the Spring at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours.

Irene’s family gives special a thank you to her friends and caregivers, especially Sherry, Mary, Cindy, Dr. Robert Robinson and posthumously to Beverly.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641.