Irene F. (Atkinson) Ivester – 103, of Tuftonboro, NH, formerly of Sarasota, Florida and North Reading, died at her home on Sunday, January 17, 2021. She  was the beloved wife of the late Kenneth R. Ivester.

Born in Cambridge, MA on August 12, 1917. She was the daughter of the late Samuel and Hilda T. (Thomas) Atkinson. Irene attended North Reading Grammar Schools and was a graduate of Reading High School. After High School she worked at the front desk of the New England Sanatorium in North Reading (a Tuberculosis Hospital). After her children were grown, she worked for her husband, Kenneth R. Ivester Insurance Agency in North Reading.

After the death of her husband, she lived in Sarasota, Florida for 23 years and had fun in the sun, playing golf, swimming and then she moved  to an apartment, with her daughter, JoAnn for 13 years. Irene was an American Red Cross Volunteer for 30 years.

Family members include her loving daughters, JoAnn Andrews and her husband Chad of Center Tuftonboro, NH and Diane Bumford of Lebanon, Maine; 12 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren. She was the mother of the late Kenneth R. Ivester, Jr. Also survived by her sister-in-law, Jeanne Ivester of Salem, NH and her daughters-in-law, Cecilia Lawton and Susan Ivester.

Funeral service will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North  Reading on Thursday, January 28 at 11 AM, Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Lakes Region Humane Society, Ossipee, NH or to the Tuftonboro Fire Department. www.croswellfuneralhome.com