Obituary of Irene M. Finlayson
It is with deep regret that we inform you that Irene Tebo Finlayson, age 81, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2024, at the Wynn Hospital in Utica, with her family by her side. During this time of grief, she will be sorely missed. However, it is also a time of great joy knowing that Irene lived a full life and left a lasting and memorable footprint in the lives of her family and friends. She is now once again reunited with her beloved husband Richard in heaven.
Irene was born in Bangor, NY on January 21, 1943, to the late Leo and Mary Bell Tebo. On August 5, 1961, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Richard Finlayson in Malone, NY; a blessed union of 51 years until his passing on September 12, 2012. They moved out of New York while he was serving in the U.S. Navy, and was stationed at several places including Newport, RI and Charleston, SC. Upon his retirement from the Navy, they eventually returned to New York and settled in Saranac Lake.
Irene enjoyed a life that included being a homemaker and mother to their three children. She worked at various jobs such as the AV clerk in the Goose Creek High School Library in SC, and as senior library clerk at North Country Community College. She also volunteered teaching 2nd grade religious education classes helping to prepare young children for Holy Communion, and joined the music choir at her local church.
She retired from NCCC after 25 years on August 31, 2015. She moved to Utica, NY to live with her daughter, Christine, and used her spare time to play on her iPad, read, listen to music, bird watch, and her second true love…go to the casino.
Irene is survived by her children, Beverly (Randy) Stiles of Massena, NY, Grant (Alden) Finlayson of North Charleston, SC, and Christine (Michael) Deleel of Utica, NY; grandchildren, Victoria (Patrick) Dooley, Benjamin (Tina) Ponce, Andrew Finlayson, and Amanda (Eric) Stevens; great grandchildren, Hayden, Logan, and Evan Dooley, Oliver and Arlo Ponce, and Bennett Stevens; and her sister, Gertrude Durkee.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, Rome, NY.
