pWATERTOWN- Irene G. Kolton, 85, died peacefully at home on February 29, 2016. Arrangements are under the direction of Cleveland Funeral Home of Watertown, NY./ppCalling hours will be at Cleveland Funeral Home at 404 Sherman Street on Thursday March 3, 2016 from 5 PM to 7 PM. A memorial service will be at First Presbyterian Church at 403 Washington Street in Watertown on Friday March 4, 2016 at 5 PM with Rev. Dr. Fred Garry presiding. /ppIrene was born in Kingston, Canada on September 6, 1930 to Gertrude and Wilton Sheppard. She attended schools in Kingston then graduated from nursing school at Ottawa Civic Hospital and Kingston General Hospital. /ppIrene was an accomplished soloist. It was while singing at a friend’s wedding that she met her future husband Stan L Kolton. They married on September 11, 1954 in Kingston at Princess Street United Church with Rev. Vatcher officiating. Stan then convinced her to come to “The Good Country,” the USA. They moved to Middletown NY where Irene worked as a nurse at Elizabeth Horton Hospital and Stan worked as a representative for Case Farm Machinery. They moved to Watertown NY in 1956 where Irene worked at House of the Good Samaritan for 2 years prior to becoming a stay at home mom for their 2 children, Kathryn Ann and Jeff. A son, Kevin John, died shortly after birth in 1968. Irene and Stan moved to a house on the St. Lawrence River in Alexandria Bay NY in 1984. They wintered in their motorhome in Hilton Head Island in SC for many years so Irene could play tennis year round. Irene continued to winter in Hilton Head until 2011. Stan died in 1992. /ppIrene continued to perform with Community Concert Singers and in the choir at First Presbyterian Church where she was also an Elder and Deacon. She was a member of the North Country Artists Guild for many years as well as Life Member of the Samaritan Medical Center Auxiliary, a Twig, Save the River, and the Jefferson County Historical Society. Irene was an accomplished artist, working in oils, watercolors, china painting and various crafts. She received several blue ribbons at the Jefferson County Fair and many of her paintings are on display in friend’s and family’s houses. She was an avid tennis player until she broke her hip while playing tennis at the age of 84. She also loved playing bridge, gardening, and travel as well as cooking, baking, decorating her home, and hot black coffee. Her cat Tisha was the love of her life. /ppIrene’s family will miss her energy and quick wit. Her daughter Kathryn Ann Kolton is married to Paul Archibald. They have one daughter Caitlin and live in Watertown. Son Jeff Kolton lives in Shelby NC. He is married to Lisa and has 3 children Bryan, Michael, and Sabrina. /ppIrene’s family wishes to thank her care providers over the past 9 months: Sue Roberts, Jessica Beasley, Delia Cox and Gwen Mills. We greatly appreciate your compassionate care of “Miss Irene!” In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Radio Ministry at First Presbyterian Church, 403 Washington Street in Watertown, NY 13601 or Hospice of Jefferson County at 1388 Gotham Street in Watertown, NY 13601. /ppOnline condolences can be made at www.clevelandfuneralhomeinc.com. /p
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