Irene Georgette Febraio passed away peacefully on January 16, 2018 at her residence in Maple Grove, Ashburn, Virginia in the presence of and holding the hand of her eldest daughter, Janice. She died from complications of Alzheimer's disease. She waged a courageous daily battle against the disease and maintained her dignity and identity despite it.

She was born on August 10, 1928 in Albany, NY to Flora and Bertram Butlin. Her mother whose maiden name was Flora MacInnes, immigrated from the Island of Skye, in Scotland where Flora grew up in the family home and where her family herded sheep. Irene was raised by her mother and grew up in the city of Albany during the depression years of the 1920s and 1930s. She graduated from Albany High School. She had four sisters and one brother whom she loved and was close to throughout her life. She is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Daguillo and her brother, Bertram Butlin and his wife Janet, and has many nieces and nephews.

Irene was a passionate and devoted wife and mother. Her husband, Alfonse Febraio, was the brother of her closest friend in high school, Victoria Febraio Cody. They married on February 20, 1949. They have four surviving children, daughter, Janice Moya, daughter, Sandra Febraio Heitz and husband Michael Heitz, son, Thomas Febraio and daughter, Anne Mullins and husband Mark Mullins, and grandson, Christopher Mullins.
Irene selflessly moved from Albany and everything familiar to her and away from her beloved family and many friends to move to Concord NH to help advance her husband's career and to make a better life for her family. In Concord she socialized with new friends met through her husband's work. She attended a business school. She was employed at various times throughout her life and held both part time and later full time administrative positions. She thoroughly enjoyed her work outside of the home and her coworkers. She enjoyed her independence and was a hard worker, and seamlessly balanced her work and home life.

She was the center and backbone of the family and organized the day to day family activities and finances. She was an active and involved mother, and was a girl scout leader, a den mother, and active in PTA. She was always present when her children came home from school. She created a beautiful home for her family where relatives and friends were always welcome. She faithfully cooked evening meals from scratch, gathering the family around the dinner table where there were lively conversations about activities, work and current events. She generated a love for the holidays, as Christmases, Easters, Halloweens, and birthdays were all special events with family, friends, abundant, delicious food and wonderful decorations. She converted to Catholic faith and worshiped devoutly with her family.

In 1974 Al accepted a management position in Tehran, Iran where he opened a new office. Irene was instrumental in the move and resolved the many problems encountered in setting up a household in a foreign country with a vastly different culture. She paved the way for the other families and assisted them in setting up their households. She made many lifelong friends during her two years in Iran. While overseas she, her husband, Al and daughter Anne traveled extensively in Iran, visiting also Italy, Greece, Germany, Israel, Russia and Yugoslavia.

While she enjoyed a very active life overseas, she was eager to return home to be reunited with her three oldest children, Janice, Sandy and Tom. She set up house in Fairfax, Virginia and sent her youngest daughter, Anne to the local schools. She and Al socialized with newly made friends while continuing the friendships made while in Iran. She traveled with family to Mexico and also celebrated her 50th anniversary with family on a Caribbean cruise. After retiring she enjoyed weekly bingo games, and water aerobics classes and lunching regularly with her friends.

Services will be held for family on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 between 4:00pm-5:00pm at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg 201 Edwards Ferry Road NE Leesburg, VA 20176.

A Graveside Service is scheduled for 11:00 am on Thursday, January 25, 2018 at Quantico National Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org