Obituary of Irene Virginia Huddell

Irene Virginia (Shirley) Huddell (86) Of Glenolden joined her husband and Savior on Thursday April 29th, 2020. A devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, and dearest friend, Irene quietly slipped from this life after a brief illness. Despite her telling us she was ready; we could never be prepared for the situations of our current world in these last few days. Irene was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Irene Shirley, brother Joseph Shirley and husband Walter Blake Huddell Jr. She is survived by her sons Mason Huddell (Teresa Huddell), Walter Blake Huddell III (Alicyn Huddell), Mark Huddell (Kerry Miller),Gary Huddell and daughters Vickie Byler (Scott Byler) and Lynn Huddell and a sister Barbara Burke (Leroy). In addition, Irene has 15 grandchildren and 11 Great Grandchildren, 9 nieces and nephews and 12 grand nieces and nephews. All who knew her loved her. She has touched so many lives over the years as she served her church and community. She willingly shared all that she had with others, mentoring, encouraging, and mostly listening to the many who came to her for advice. She always had time to sit with you and talk and yet never judged as she was full of love and grace. She has shared in our happiest moments and held us in her heart through our struggles. Her favorite song "It is Well with My Soul" demonstrates that in the good times and bad her anchor was secure in the Lord . She had seen many hardships in her life and yet her joys were many also. She worked hard to blend a family for which we are all grateful recipients. Over the years we have all come to realize the pivotal role she played in bringing and holding the Huddell family together. Her insistence on treating all the children, then the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, equally and with love and acceptance, was key to the unity and closeness that we continue to enjoy. The last few years have been especially hard as her mobility began to decline. She did not like being stuck at home. That did not, however, stop her from continuing to mentor younger members of her church who were seeking spiritual guidance. She was able to care so, so deeply in the most rhythmic, steady way. She was a pillar. Unshaking, constant, she managed to love everyone the same way, the same amount, with the same steady current of support. We will remember the way she kept a nice garden, year after year; how she thought to wear an item we had given her when we came to visit; how she remembered everyone's birthday and anniversary for so many years; how she was a faithful friend to so many; how she cared for her mother, her brother, her brother's family, and Pop Pop; how she helped to comfort others through the Grief-Share Bereavement support group. She considered others, always, and gave her best. We were lucky to have her in our lives. While we were not ready to say goodbye…and we could not hold her hand to let her know our love, we know she felt us saying " I love you" in her heart, which was always our last words to each other as a family when we spoke. We knew her heart was to be with dad and her Savior, so releasing her was easier. She was very quick to laugh, and It is her laugh that we know we will remember most often and most easily. Her laugh, and of course, her love. We will remember her each time we see the birds, or smell the flowers that bloom, or feel the ocean breeze on our face, or hear the laughter of family and friends for that is where we felt her the most. While we cannot hold her hand, we know we hold her forever in our hearts. A Virtual grave side service will be held at Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill, PA on Monday May 11, at 11:00. All are welcome to join through ZOOM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87163768635?pwd=cC9ib01FUGlIWGpHSiswa3JXY09GQT09 Meeting ID: 871 6376 8635 Password: 696839 In Lieu of flowers please donate in her honor to a charity of your choice that emulated the life and character of Irene.