Irene Perosi, 53, of Lakewood, NJ entered into eternal life on Tuesday, December 5, 2017. A dedicated daughter, loving sister, and friend maker extraordinaire. Her spirit will be met in heaven by her father, Gerard McNaney, a Korean War veteran. Coincidentally, he was having his birthday in heaven this same day, and wanted her to be with him to celebrate.

She was born in the Bronx, NY and grew up in the Westerleigh section of Staten Island. Throughout her life, she enjoyed summers in Spring Lake, NJ before moving to Lakewood 2 years ago.

Irene embraced life with positivity and joy. Constantly cheerful and always exuding kindness, she brought happiness to everyone she met. It was this love for people that led to her to graduate from Port Richmond High School and go on to attend nursing school at the College of Staten Island. From there, she was a nurse at St. Vincent’s for over 20 years. It’s no surprise her career of choice was to help others.

She was frequently described as the life of the party, the person who could light up a room, and make others laugh instantly with her infectious sense of humor. She was an animal lover, incredible friend, and had a heart of gold.

Irene was predeceased by her father Gerard McNaney in 1993 and by her beloved dogs, Master and Kingsley. She is survived by her mother, Marion McNaney with whom she lived with in Lakewood; and her four sisters, Marion Kolbasuk and her husband, Gregory of Huguenot, SI, NY, Elizabeth Gannon and her husband, Thomas of Huguenot SI, NY, Margaret Mende and her husband, Jeffrey of Howell, NJ, and Veronica Rogers and her husband, Gary of Middletown, NJ. She also leaves her nieces and nephews, Thomas Gannon, Gerard Gannon, and Jacqueline Gannon, Trevor Mende, Meghan Longo, and her husband Andrew, Kaitlin Rogers and Kelly Rogers.

Visitation will take place on Sunday, December 10, 2017 from 1-5pm at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road, Brick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 10am on Monday, December 11, 2017 at St. Dominic’s RC Church, Brick. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Toms River. Condolences may be sent via www.obrienfuneralhome.com