Irene Edwards Callbeck

Irene Edwards Callbeck, 92, of Pasadena, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2019.  She was born on March 23, 1927, in Gilberton, Pennsylvania, to the late Eva and William Edwards.  Irene was the Executive Assistant to the Director of the Maryland State Department of Natural Resources.  She dedicated much of her life as a volunteer and leader within the local and regional United Methodist Church, and as an advocate for women and children through United Methodist Women of the Baltimore Washington Area.

Irene was active for over 50 years at Pasadena United Methodist Church. She chaired the Board of Susanna Wesley House in Baltimore, a project supporting single mothers and their children with skills and housing as they reenter the workforce. Active in the Pasadena Women’s Club, she enjoyed gardening, knitting, pinochle, and crocheting. Most of all, she enjoyed being with her family and hosting crab feasts with family and many friends at their waterfront home in Pasadena.

She was well known for her gift of making strangers and new acquaintances feel immediately comfortable, from traffic officers on a Baltimore street corner to the wait staff at a local restaurant. When she’s interviewed by St. Peter at the Gates of Heaven, we can be sure she will learn his life story before she goes in. Even though she struggled with Alzheimer’s disease, at the end it could not take away her amazing smile that could make your whole day.

Irene was pre-deceased by her beloved husband and partner in their small business, Chester W. Callbeck, Jr., and her siblings, William Edwards, Jr. and Elizabeth Edwards Ballard.  She is survived by her children Carol Callbeck Sylvester of Pasadena (Rob), Chester W. Callbeck III of Conway SC (Brenda), and Pat Callbeck Harper of Montana (Rusty); her grandchildren Carrie Sylvester Shade of Pasadena (Chris), Caitlin Callbeck Millar of Catonsville (Scott), Ian Sylvester of Denver, Erin Sylvester (Ross) of Atlanta, Molly Harper of Seattle (David Whittlesey), and Robin Harper Cowie of Colorado (Zachary); great-grandsons Caleb and Greyson Cowie, and Tucker Millar; and her sister, Ruth Edwards Wise of Silver Spring.

The Callbeck Family requests that Memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.