Irene R. Currie's Obituary
With tender hearts, her family announces that Mrs. Irene Rosalind Pobozy Currie passed away peacefully on Wednesday April 29th, 2026. At home in Escondido, California, she was surrounded at her bedside by two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was 105 years old - a soft and quiet end to a long and remarkable life.
Irene was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 9, 1920, to Josephine and Alexander Pobozy, immigrants from Poland. Irene’s family eventually moved into a 3-family home in Brooklyn along with her Grandmother Rozalja and Aunt Cecilia. Irene would later reflect fondly on this time living so close to her grandmother, saying “...us grandchildren who were able to go to her with our little problems and find comfort and solace with our dear Babcia, who we loved deeply and benefited greatly from her teaching and loving care.” Irene provided this same care for her own family.
Irene married the love of her life, John Edgar Currie, on June 15th, 1941. They had seven children: five daughters, Jo Anne, Alexia, Catharine, Melissa, Eugenia; and two sons, John and Scott. They raised the family in Wyckoff, New Jersey until 1972 when they moved across the country to Glendora, California. Irene and John later retired to Escondido, California where Irene would live for the rest of her life.
For Irene, family came first. She poured great love and many prayers into the lives of her children and their spouses, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A strong Catholic woman, Irene modeled deep spirituality and intellectual development through lifelong learning. Able to speak Polish and English, she went on to teach herself French and Spanish. She was an accomplished pianist, painter and poet. Irene graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree when she was 56 years old, and then became a multilingual teacher. Throughout her life, Irene generously cared for the needs of many people through direct care and donations. Irene surrounded her home with the beauty of plants and flowers that she meticulously nurtured until well after her 100th year.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband John Edgar Currie, her sister Eugenia Kalaf and brother Stanley Parker.
She is survived by her children Jo Anne Springer, Alexia Currie, Catharine Currie, Melissa Bryan (Frank), John Currie Jr., Eugenia O’Neil (John), and Scott Currie (Katherine); 14 grandchildren and their spouses, 25 great-grandchildren; her sister Rosalind Simon, sister-in-law Ruth Parker and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Irene is greatly loved. We already miss her sharp wit, kind presence, and thoughtful conversations. We are grateful for the gift of so much time with her in our lives, and that she lived very much on her own terms for all of her 105 years.
A funeral mass will be celebrated Monday, May 11 at St. Mary Catholic Church of Escondido at 10 a.m. A live-stream of the service will be provided at https://www.stmaryp.org/
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