Irene 'Toots' O’Donnell Sughrue passed away peacefully on March 21, 2014 at Christ The King Manor, Dubois, a few days shy of her 99th birthday. Irene was born on April 15, 1915 at the family homestead on Clark St., Clearfield. She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Bridget (Loftus) O’Donnell.

On April 14th, 1941, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Clearfield, Irene married Francis R. (Shug) Sughrue who predeceased her on Oct. 2, 1995. Her son, Thomas, also predeceased her on Nov. 12, 1964. She is survived by her daughter Rita Ann Kimmel and Husband, Nathan, and their child, Dana (Jon) Ottey and grandson Jack Hohenwarter; her son John Sughrue and Wife, Patte McDermitt, and their children, Marybeth (Mark) Contreras, Andy (Denise), Jennifer (Steve) Rohrer, Michael (Tejal), and Douglas (Alicia) and their grandchildren, Michael Contreras, Connor, Caitlin, Maggie, Ryan and Isabella Sughrue, Jeffrey (Kathryn) Elmore, Jake, Josh, Nathan and Shannon Rohrer and great granddaughter, Abbey Kate Elmore. Irene is also survived by a beloved sister-in-law, Margaret Litz O’Donnell and numerous nieces and nephews.

Irene was predeceased by her parents, all siblings and spouses, Mary (Frank) Kane, Genevieve (Howdy) Mann, Rita (Fred) Leavy, Catherine (Reuben) McDonald, Geraldine (Louie) Danneker, Terrence “Buck” (Flo Conklin) and Thomas.

During life, Irene appreciated the closeness of her family, the wonderful years at St. Francis School and her many friends. In response to an apparent epidemic of Muscular Dystrophy in the 1950s, Irene and other individuals, including the Clearfield Fire Department members, founded a local chapter of MDA to raise money for research. She served as President and always fondly remembered the various firemen with whom she worked. The local chapter eventually merged into the State MD Assoc. She was active in St. Francis Church, its Rosary & Altar Society and the Coterie Club.

Mass of Christian burial will be said at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Clearfield on Saturday at 11 AM with Msgr. H. Desmond McGee, Jr. as celebrant. Following Mass, Irene will be interred beside Shug and Tom in the family plot at Calvary Cemetery

Friends will be received at the Kevin A. Beardsley Funeral Home, Clearfield on Friday from 4-8 PM and on Saturday from 10-10:30 AM.

At the funeral home on Friday, a Christian Vigil service will be held at 3:45PM and the rosary will be recited at 7:45 PM.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Muscular Dystrophy Association, 3300 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718 or to the St. Francis Educational Endowment Fund, 212 South Front Street, Clearfield.

To sign the on-line guestbook go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.