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Submitted: 8/31/21 • Approved: 8/31/21 • Last Updated: 9/3/21 • R453161-G453160-S3
Irene Catherine McMahon Ronayne
March 31, 1920 - June 26, 2013
Married September 19, 1940
*Obituary Published by Aria Cremation June 28, 2013
Irene McMahon Ronayne, 93, of Plano, Texas, surrounded by family, was gathered into God's arms on June 26, 2013. Irene was born on March 31, 1920, in Denver, Colorado, to Philip Bernard McMahon and Irene Catherine Hawkinson. She grew up in Denver, receiving her primary and secondary education there. Irene chose Denver University to pursue a degree in psychiatric sociology. She was a brilliant student, earning membership in the National Honor Society, and then being designated Panhellenic Council Representative for Beta Phi Alpha Sorority at Denver University. On September 19, 1940, during her senior year, she married Leo John Ronayne, a Chemical Engineering major at the Colorado School of Mines.
Irene is survived by five children and their spouses whom she referred to as her "silver platter children". Ed and Yon Sik Ronayne of Plano, Texas; Ann Ronayne of Morgan Hill, California; Dick and Barbara Ronayne Robie of Lake Jackson, Texas; Tom and Ange Ronayne of Sweeny, Texas; Tim and Victoria Ronayne Sublette of Allen, Texas.
Irene is also survived by 35 grandchildren, spouses and great grandchildren.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband of seventy years, Leo John Ronayne, and her eldest son, Leo John Ronayne III ("Johnny").
In 1941, John Ronayne was hired by Phillips Petroleum Company, and for the next fourteen years, the Ronaynes moved first to Borger, Texas, then to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and back to Borger, finally settling in Borger in 1955. Irene and John were active in serving their church and community. In 2000, the Borger News-Herald conferred its Unsung Heroes Award upon Irene and John for their decades of selfless public service. Highlights of that service include the founding of TRIAD, a cooperative effort among the sheriff's department, three police departments, and the senior citizens of Hutchinson County to promote the safety and welfare of the area's elderly. After her children were reared and on their own, Irene, at age 55, became an LVN and served as an emergency room nurse, cardiac care nurse and medications nurse at the hospital in Borger, later becoming a school nurse at St. John's Catholic School.
After John's retirement, Irene loved to travel the world with him, eventually visiting five of the seven continents. In 2006, they relocated to Plano, Texas, remaining active in their church and community.
Irene enthusiastically enjoyed bridge, square dancing, reading, baking, and travel, and she continued to serve her family as mother and mentor until the time of her death. It is significant to note that, in honor of her father, who was a Rotarian, Irene became a Paul Harris Fellow. Irene lived a long, beautiful life and was a gift from God to family, friends, her church and community, and to many whom she never met.
Visitation and a Rosary will be June 30, 2013, 6 to 8 pm at Aria Cremations Chapel, 19310 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas. A funeral Mass, will be celebrated, 10 am, July 1, 2013, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Plano, Texas. Pallbearers and gift bearers are her 13 grandchildren. A graveside service for Mrs. Ronayne, and the remains of her late husband, John Ronayne, will follow on July 2, 2013, 9:30 am, at Highland Park Cemetery in Borger, Texas. A memorial celebration will be held in Borger at a later date.
Leo John Ronayne
May 16, 1920 - August 28, 2010
*Obituary (Published in Amarillo Globe-News, September 1, 2010)
PLANO - Leo John Ronayne, 90, died Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010.
Rosary was said at 5 p.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. today in the church with Monsignor Henry Petter as celebrant.
John was born May 16, 1920, in Kansas City, Mo., to Leo John Sr. and Gladys Margaret Haas Ronayne. John grew up in Denver and earned a degree in petroleum refinery engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.
While in college, he met Irene McMahon, a psychiatric sociology major at the University of Denver. The Ronaynes were married on Sept. 19, 1940. Friends and family recently gathered for a private Mass to celebrate the Ronaynes' upcoming 70th anniversary.
In 1941, the Ronaynes moved to Borger, and welcomed the first of their six children. John began a 44-year career with Phillips Petroleum Co. During his career, John worked in several Borger plants, as well as in the company's home office in Bartlesville, Okla. At the time of his retirement in 1985, John was assigned to dispose of assets of Plains Butadiene and Copolymer Rubber plants, the same plants he helped to design and construct during World War II.
In 2000, the Borger News-Herald recognized the Ronaynes as Unsung Heroes for Hutchinson County for tireless service to their community, including the founding of TRIAD, a cooperative effort among the sheriff's department, three police departments and the seniors of Hutchinson County, to promote the welfare and safety of the elderly.
After retirement, the Ronaynes traveled to five of seven continents, and prior to their relocation to Plano in 2006, remained very active in their church and community. John's other passions included carpentry, cars and firearms. He was also a prolific author of letters to editors. His writings, published all over the U.S., reflected uncommon wit, wisdom and an unwavering moral compass.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Ed, and his eldest son, Leo John III "Johnny."
Survivors include his wife, Irene, and their children, Ed and Yon Sik Ronayne of Plano, Ann Ronayne of Santa Clara, Calif., Dick and Barbara Ronayne Robie of Lake Jackson, Tom and Ange Ronayne of Sweeny, and Tim and Victoria Ronayne Sublette of Allen; 31 grandchildren, spouses and great-grandchildren; and a sister, Kay Crocker of Hemet, Calif.
The family suggests memorials be to Help Hospitalized Veterans, 36585 Penfield Lane, Winchester, CA 92596,
Photo/information, courtesy of Edith Guynes Stanley
Contributed on 8/31/21 by MryAl8
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