Cover photo for Irene Smith's Obituary
1937 Irene 2022

Irene Smith

July 18, 1937 — March 29, 2022

In the early morning hours of March 29th, 2022, the family of Irene Smith said their final goodbye.

She passed away at her home of many years on the Winona Grade, near Kooskia; she was 84.

Irene was born July 18th, 1937 to John (Jack) & Hazel Massey in Stites. She attended school in Stites & Kooskia graduating from Clearwater Valley High School in 1956, that is where she met Harold Smith.

They were married January 9th, 1956, they soon had a family, 2 sons Lonnie and Dean, 2 daughters Cindy and Julie.

Harold and Irene raised their family in Kooskia, on Battleridge and outside of Stites before finally

settling on the Winona Grade, where she lived the rest of her life. Irene was known for being a kind and generous person, she always looked for the good in others, she was a hard worker. To help support

her family she worked various jobs including planting trees for the Forest Service, Syringa Cedar Mill,

selling Avon, also a convenience store in Kooskia. In 1980 she purchased the Selway Cafe owned and operated that till the late 80's early 90's, when she closed those doors and purchased the Gold Pan Pizza, renaming it the River's Cafe, she was famous for the Selway Burger, The Gut Buster Burger and her oversized Chicken Fried Steak. People would drive from miles around to eat at Irene's Cafe.

She even had the privilege of serving Harrison Ford and getting a picture with him which she always said it was a HUGE deal.

Irene was in the Cafe business for over 30 years before finally retiring, during that time

she employed many people in the community, including most of her family members.

Irene is survived by her 2 sons Lonnie (Karen), Dean (Debbie) a daughter Cindy Manning and son- in- law Dennis Renne' all of Kooskia, her brother Kiff Massey of Kamiah, also 7 Grandchildren,

18 Great-Grandchildren, and 6 Great-Great Grandchildren.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband Harold of 47 years, her parents, brothers Andy,

John, Eldridge and sister Onah, son- in- law Larry Manning, and her daughter Julie Renne'.

Irene was one of Jehovah's Witness. There will be a Memorial, May 14th, at 1:00 PM, at the Clearwater Valley High School Cafeteria, in Kooskia, bring a covered dish.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Irene Smith, please visit our flower store.

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