Irene Chan, 1954 - 2020
On May 26, 2020, Irene ended her four year long fight with ovarian cancer at the age of 66.
Irene emigrated with her family from Hong Kong to Boston in 1969. She graduated from Brighton High School in Boston. She went on to study at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and obtained her bachelor’s degree in Biology (1976) and master’s degree in Chemical Engineering (1978). She then finished her post-graduate work at the University of Illinois Champagne/Urbana. Irene always valued education. Through the years, she encouraged and mentored many students on their path to college. She established scholarships at Brighton High School and MIT. As her continued commitment to higher education, Irene set up an endowment to ensure that these scholarships would continue.
After finishing her education, Irene worked for the defense and commercial manufacturing industries. Her most recent work places included General Electric Aviation, Gillette, and Proctor and Gamble as a quality engineer before retiring at Keurig.
Irene doted on her many nieces and nephews. Every year in September, her house was full of school supplies for the youngsters. She loved to travel and went on many trips to Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Irene enjoyed applying her education and analytical ability to the stock market. She always knew what she wanted.
Irene was predeceased by her parents Ying Yee Chan and Ngan Siu Yee, sister Yim Chin and brother Bryan. Irene is survived by her three sisters and two brothers: Katharina (Steven) of Dracut, Massachusetts; Elise of Boston, Massachusetts; Angela (Michael) of Bay Area, California; Allen (Jocelyn) of Austin, Texas; and David of Boston, Massachusetts. She also is survived by many dear cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. She is missed by many dear friends, especially Ilda Indrade, Johanna Webster, and Regina Casey.
Irene emigrated with her family from Hong Kong to Boston in 1969. She graduated from Brighton High School in Boston. She went on to study at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and obtained her bachelor’s degree in Biology (1976) and master’s degree in Chemical Engineering (1978). She then finished her post-graduate work at the University of Illinois Champagne/Urbana. Irene always valued education. Through the years, she encouraged and mentored many students on their path to college. She established scholarships at Brighton High School and MIT. As her continued commitment to higher education, Irene set up an endowment to ensure that these scholarships would continue.
After finishing her education, Irene worked for the defense and commercial manufacturing industries. Her most recent work places included General Electric Aviation, Gillette, and Proctor and Gamble as a quality engineer before retiring at Keurig.
Irene doted on her many nieces and nephews. Every year in September, her house was full of school supplies for the youngsters. She loved to travel and went on many trips to Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Irene enjoyed applying her education and analytical ability to the stock market. She always knew what she wanted.
Irene was predeceased by her parents Ying Yee Chan and Ngan Siu Yee, sister Yim Chin and brother Bryan. Irene is survived by her three sisters and two brothers: Katharina (Steven) of Dracut, Massachusetts; Elise of Boston, Massachusetts; Angela (Michael) of Bay Area, California; Allen (Jocelyn) of Austin, Texas; and David of Boston, Massachusetts. She also is survived by many dear cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. She is missed by many dear friends, especially Ilda Indrade, Johanna Webster, and Regina Casey.
Gifts in her Memory
In memory of Irene, please donate to Tewksbury Community Pantry at www.tewksburypantry.org or to a charity of your choice.
Advertisement
SWE News