Irene Lorraine Blake

Irene Lorraine Blake, a longtime Raymond resident, died Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at Willapa Health and Rehab Center, she was 92. Irene was born May 21, 1926 in Ilwaco, WA to John Severi and Anne (Oman) Wiitala. In 1944, Irene graduated from Naselle-Grays River High School where she played on the Tomboys Basketball team and played all over South West Washington. After graduation, she moved to Olympia for work until 1949 when she married her late husband Everett C. Blake at the Naselle Lutheran Church on June 24, 1949. Irene worked for the unemployment office of the State of Washington until retiring in 1992. She was a 50+ year member to numerous organizations such as Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Red Cross, Lady of the Elks, VFW and Association of Retired State Employees. Irene enjoyed gardening and took great pride in her yard. She loved caring for others and will be greatly missed. Surviving Irene are her brother Donald and Marleen (Wirkkala) Wiitala of Naselle, WA, her son Wayne and Jennifer (Seeker) Blake also of Naselle, WA and her grandson Severy and Sandra Blake of Maryville, TN. She was preceded in death by her husband Everett, March 25, 2005 and her siblings, Helen Peeples, Fredrick Wiitala, Albert Wiitala, and Alice Laney. At her request, no memorial services will be held. In lieu of flowers her wishes were to have donations be made to the Pacific County Historical Society and Museum at P.O. Box P, South Bend, WA 98586, the Peaceful Hills Cemetery in Naselle, Wash. or a charity of your choice in memory of Irene. Arrangements are in care of Stoller’s Mortuary in Raymond. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Irene Lorraine Blake please visit our Sympathy Store.