Obituary of Irene J. Shillieto

LITTLE FALLS - Irene Svendsen Shillieto, age 94, a lifelong resident of Burlington, NY and Little Falls, passed away peacefully, on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at Valley Health Services. Born on March 4, 1928, in Brooklyn, NY, Irene was the daughter of the late Capt. Otto and Bjorg (Retvedt) Svendsen, from 79th Street Brooklyn and Durham, NY. Irene was educated in Brooklyn and attended Woods School of Business, in NYC. She was employed at RCA Customer Service Department, in New York City. Growing up, Irene and her family summered in Burlington, NY, where she met the Shillieto family, becoming good friends with Marge and her sisters, Margaret, Carolyn, and their brother Robert. On October 14, 1950 Irene was married to Robert (Bob) W. Shillieto, in Oak Hill, NY. Irene and Bob were married almost 52 years in Burlington NY, raising their six children in the house her family summered in, until Bob’s passing in 2002. After raising her children, Irene was an Operating Room Technician at Bassett and Norwich Hospitals. After retirement Irene became a Museum Teacher/Docent, at the Farmers Museum and the Fenimore Art Museum, which gave her great enjoyment, especially when she was able to demonstrate different natural textiles, wool and linen and their spinning and weaving. Irene was very proud of her Norwegian heritage and an avid reader, enjoyed traveling, learning new things including spinning, weaving and quilting. She enjoyed the companionship of her Standard Poodles, Kismet and Ginger. Irene is survived by her loving children, Clyde Shillieto, Otto and Jan (Carter) Shillieto, Kim and Pam (Greene) Shillieto, Gale (Shillieto) and Tom Mihevc, Wayne Shillieto, Norma (Shillieto) and John Stehnach; 15 Grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and her dear friend, Penny Wheeler. In addition to her parents and husband, Bob, Irene was predeceased by her daughters-in-law, Karen (Horton) Shillieto and Pamela (Schroeder) Shillieto. The family would like to give a special thank you to Valley Health Services and the staff on 1 Extension for the love and care they gave Irene. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects, on Thursday morning, January 12, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 24 W. Monroe Street, Little Falls, NY (315)823-2424. The Funeral Service will commence immediately following calling hours at the funeral home. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local library, animal shelter or Humane Society. Online condolences may be left at www.eneafamily.com