Obituary of Irene P. Gough

Irene Pauline Wydro Gough, 103, of Old Bridge, passed away on Monday, August 26, 2024, at Reformed Church Home. Irene was born on the 4th of July, in Brooklyn, a first-generation American to parents Alexander and Veronica Wydro of Poland. Irene met the love of her life, John Gough, while on vacation post WWII. John caught her eye after an impromptu performance with the resort band and the rest was history. The two were married on August 27, 1949 and enjoyed almost 53 years of marriage prior to John’s passing in 2002. Irene was a loving mother to her three children and relocated from Brooklyn to Old Bridge in 1964 to raise her family next door to her beloved sister, Stephanie. Irene was an active member of her community. She worked as a secretary for the Old Bridge Education Department and was a parishioner of St. Ambrose Church. Irene was a lifelong animal lover who had several high-spirited dogs throughout her life and even raised a duck, Ducky-Wucky, as a girl in Brooklyn. Her most treasured role, however, was that of grandmother. She doted on her four grandchildren and would tell anyone who would listen about their accomplishments. At age 98 she became a great-grandmother for the first time. She adored her great-grandchildren, taking every opportunity to smother them with kisses and delight in their antics.

Irene was predeceased by her parents Alexander and Veronica Wydro, husband John Gough; sister Stephanie Piorkowski and brother in law Alphonse Pirorkowski. She is survived by her children Thomas Gough (Carol); Susan Gough and John Gough (Anne); grandchildren Jenna Penzimer (Raymond), Lori St. John (Vincent), Ryan Gough and Sean Gough, great grandchildren Tessa St. John, Alexander Penzimer, and Griffin St. John, her beloved cats, Blue Boy and Octopus, as well as many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind the new friends she made during her 2-year tenure at the Reformed Church Home, to whom her family is truly grateful for their loving care in her final years. We will forever miss our firecracker.

Friends and family are invited to visit on Wednesday, September 4, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 7:00PM to 9:00PM, at Freeman Manalapan Marlboro Funeral Home, 344 Route 9 North. A funeral liturgy will be held at St. Ambrose Church in Old Bridge, NJ on Thursday at 10:30 AM. Entombment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in South Amboy, NJ. To leave a condolence or find directions, visit www.freemanfuneralhomes.com.