Obituary of Elaine Marie Irish

Elaine Marie Irish, 94, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, September 29, 2016. Born in Merrill, MI on July 16, 1922, Elaine was the eldest of six children of Joseph and Alma (Tighe) Corbat. She was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Merrill, MI. Elaine met Aarol W. "Bud" Irish of Hemlock, MI in 1940. Their WWII courtship and correspondence was the basis for the book "A Thousand Letters Home." They married at St. Patrick Church in (Ryan), Merrill, MI, on January 26, 1946. Elaine and Bud resided in Saginaw, MI and Venice, FL, and celebrated 60 years of marriage prior to Bud's death in April, 2006. Elaine was a faithful member of St. Dominic Catholic Church (formerly St. Stephen) in Saginaw, MI, and Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, FL. She was a perpetual member of the League of Catholic Women, St. Stephen's Altar Society, St. Mary's Auxiliary, Legion of Mary and, along with her husband, a member of the Knights of Columbus and Serra Club. She volunteered as a seamstress at St. Francis Home for over 25 years. Elaine was an active and generous supporter of numerous charitable organizations, many of which received funds through the Aarol W. & Elaine M. Irish Charitable Trust. Elaine was deeply loved, respected, admired and treasured by her five daughters and five sons, Linda (James) Larsen, Bend, OR; Constance (Robert) Schneider, Traverse City, MI; William (Julie) Irish, Saginaw, MI; Richard (Laurene) Irish, Grand Rapids, MI; Michael Irish (Marilyn Ziegler), Venice, FL; Melanie (Robert) Parks, Bloomfield Hills, MI; Thomas (Roberta) Irish, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA; Teresa (Bradley Foster) Irish, Northville, MI; Robert Irish, Westland, MI; Janet (Jon) Purdy, Chaska, MN; 16 grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Elaine is survived by two siblings, Richard (Yvonne) Corbat, and Bernice (Lyle) Tolfree, both of Merrill, MI. Elaine's sisters, Monica Bluemer and Erma Rohde, and brother, Joseph Corbat, Jr., predeceased her. FUNERAL - Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 5, at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 1320 Malzahn Street in Saginaw. Rev. Fr. Andrew LaFramboise and Rev. Fr. Joseph Griffin will concelebrate. Interment will follow at St. Andrew Cemetery. VISITATION - Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Road on Tuesday, October 4, from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. A Vigil Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will also take place at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. MEMORIALS - In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations to the Aarol W. & Elaine M. Irish Charitable Trust administered by the Saginaw Community Foundation, 1 Tuscola Street, #100, Saginaw, MI 48607, or to St. Dominic Church. The family extends special thanks to Covenant VNA nurses Amy Schlegel and Neema Matungwa. Please share your thoughts and memories at the funeral home, at the church, or online at www.DeislerFuneralHome.com. Irish, Elaine M. Saginaw Twp, Michigan Passed away on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was 94 years old. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State), Saginaw.