Irene Catherine Yapczenski, 97, passed away on September 2nd quietly at home. In her career Irene was also known as Irene Bartosiewicz and Irene Bart, although her marriage to John Bartosiewicz in 1951, ended in civil divorce and church annulment.

Irene was born December 21, 1928, in Carteret, N.J. to the late Adam Stanley and Catherine Theresa (Dziekan) Yapczenski. She graduated from Carteret High School at the age of 16 having skipped a year as a result of academic excellence. Irene was noticeably compassionate as a child. She said she wanted to be a hermit or a very mean person so that when she died, no one would be sad. During her senior year of high school Irene was employed by the U.S. Navy, Carteret Office, where she worked for one year. She then worked for the Saffran Brothers Realty in Perth Amboy where she was instrumental in the formation of the Middlesex County Multiply Listings System. She remained with Saffran Brothers/MLS as its executive director until the dissolution of the former at their passing, and the latter until her retirement on June 30, 2010 at the age of 82 after 62 years of service.

In her adult years, Irene attended Seton Hall University College and Rutgers University College and received her B.A. from the latter. Irene felt it was very important to give back to her community and volunteered at Perth Amboy General Hospital in Perth Amboy as well as Mount Carmel Rehabilitation Center in Newark, N.J., working along side Father Peri and Donald Lomardi, a psychologist and professor. While at Mount Carmel, Irene developed and edited the innovative publication EmSeeGe as a freelance volunteer. Irene also volunteered at Catholic Welfare Bureau Family Counseling Services.

Irene is survived by sisters Dorothy Houghtaling of Cape Carteret, N.C., Veronica Ginda of Ocean, N.J., brother Donald Yapczenski of Colonia, N.J. and many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews who as children always called her the "cool aunt" and the "fun aunt". Irene was also the family historian and memorized generations of information about the Dziekan and Yapczenski families that she could recall at the drop of a hat. She was also a very gifted painter and writer of poetry.

The family will receive mourners at Flynn & Son/Mitruska Funeral Home, 23 Ford Ave., Fords, N.J. 08863, on Monday, September 7, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Funeral services will begin on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 10:00 am at the funeral home. Followed by a 10:30 am Funeral Liturgy /Celebration of Life will be held at Good Shephard Parish/Most Holy Rosary Church, Hopelawn, NJ. Interment will be in Saint James Cemetery, Woodbridge, N.J. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of your choice.