Irene Pomeroy Starkey

Irene Pomeroy Starkey was welcomed into heaven by family and friends on May 11, 2016. Irene was born October 2, 1925 in Quinton, Virginia to Bessie Crump Pomeroy and Clinton James Pomeroy, one of five children.

She graduated from New Kent High School in 1941 and from Longwood Teachers' College in 1947 with a double major in Chemistry and English. She married Cornelius James Starkey in 1948. After a number of transfers with the C&O Railroad, they settled in Ashland, KY to raise their three children: Cornelius (Neil) James Starkey, IV, Robert Wayne Starkey and Sylvia Elizabeth Starkey Pakstis.

Irene was a dedicated science teacher in the Ashland Independent School System for 27 years retiring in 1986. After her husband's death in 1987, Irene relocated in 1991 to Orlando, FL to be closer to her daughter Sylvia. While in Florida she spent many years volunteering for Orange County Public Schools. She was a charter member and former board member of the Learning Institute for Elders at the University of Central Florida. Irene traveled the world and enjoyed being a member of the Red Hat Society. She attended Good Shepherd Catholic Church.

In addition to her children, Irene is survived by her sister Lou Eberhard, her grandchildren Allen Ray Thomas, Jr, Margaret Rosson Starkey, Nathaniel Pomeroy Starkey and Benjamin David Starkey and four great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016 at Newcomer Funeral Home in Orlando from 6 - 8 PM with a rosary service at 7 PM. The funeral mass will take place on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 10 AM at Good Shepherd Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Russell Home for Atypical Children of Orlando.