Irene Mary (Svida) Estelle

Irene Mary (Svida) Estelle, 77, formerly of Howell, New Jersey, died on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at Kirkland Village of Bethlehem after a long and brave battle with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative disease.

Irene was an extraordinarily hard worker who was triumphant in the face of life’s challenges. She will be best remembered for her love of family, friends, and fun. Irene was a devoted mother who single-handedly and selflessly raised her two daughters while working as a waitress. She often called Lisa and Michelle her “miracles.” She could not have been more proud of them, and she was always quick to tell people about their accomplishments and happenings.

During the nearly four decades that she lived in Howell, NJ, Irene developed a knack for getting family and friends together to celebrate any occasion. Irene was lucky to have wonderful friends, and she was always available for a shopping trip or a lunch date. In 2010, Irene and her husband, Walter, moved near her daughter Michelle and became the playmate and chauffeur to her youngest grandson, Will. Irene lived at the Four Seasons community in Macungie, PA, and enjoyed making new friends, going to the exercise room, and walking her yappy Westie, named Lilly. 

Irene loved flowers, the ocean, traveling, and a good novel. She often found her happy place in the kitchen, whipping up a pot of soup or a batch of cookies to share. Irene was kind and generous, had a warm spirit, and, despite her loss of speech due to PSP, she maintained a keen sense of humor until her very last days.

Irene was the daughter of the late Charles and Mary (Talabishka) Svida. Irene is preceded in death by her brother, Michael Svida, and her sister, Anne Barba. Irene was predeceased by her husband of ten years, Walter Estelle, in 2011. Irene will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Lisa (Stroffolino) Bader and Michelle (Stroffolino) Schmidt; Michelle’s partner, Nate Shank; her three grandchildren, Zachary Bader, Ally Bader, and Will Schmidt; her devoted nieces, Suzanne Barba and Jean (Barba) Spector, and their children; and her nephew, Charles Barba.

Services: A memorial service will take place at 4:30PM on Monday, October 11, 2021, in Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, 500 Linden Street, Bethlehem, where the family will receive friends and relatives from 3:00PM until the time of service. A memorial tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.  There will also be a ceremony for interment on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at 10AM at St. Mary of the Lake Cemetery in Lakewood, NJ.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Cure PSP, 1216 Broadway FL 2, New York, NY 10001 or online at psp.org/iwanttohelp/ways-to-give/.

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