Irene Mayes passed away peacefully on August 5th, 2022, in Del Rio, Texas while her loving son and devoted caregiver, Bob Mazur, held her hand. Our hope is that she was reunited with her mother and is now filling her in on all the family news since 1944. Irene was born in Erie, PA on June 26, 1927, the only daughter of Ben and Gladys Warzynak. Irene attended St. Casimir's grade school and was a1945 graduate of East High School. She lived in Virginia, Maryland, Germany, and France, returning to Erie in the late 1950's. She had a variety of jobs during her lifetime –at a box factory while in her teens, as a waitress at Stan's Dinette, as a hostess at the Home Restaurant, and finally as a plant supervisor at Erie Universal Products. Proud of being Polish, Irene spoke, read, and wrote the language. Family, home, and tradition meant everything to her and, year after year, she carried with on the Polish celebrations of Wigilia at Christmas, and all the preparations leading up to Easter Sunday. She was never happier than when the whole family was gathered at her father's home for the holidays. Irene married Robert Mayes in 1980 & gained a wonderful new family: Stepchildren: Patricia Hindman (deceased), Joyce and Tom Johnson, Richard Mayes (deceased), and Gary & Sue Mayes; Step-grandchildren: Molly Lubiejewski Reno, TJ Johnson, Jody Johnson, Ashley Mayes Kuhn, Alicia Mayes, and Kyle Mayes. Irene and Bob Mayes retired and left Erie in 1984 and headed down to Texas. They took on the monumental task of clearing 5 acres of cactus-filled desert near the Texas-Mexico border and transforming it (by hand) into a sagebrush-filled oasis visited daily by upwards of 25 white-tail deer, rabbits, ground squirrels, a rooster named Bob, possum, raccoons, roadrunners, migrating birds and butterflies, and one terrifyingly bold rattlesnake. There was seemingly nothing Irene didn't do well. She loved being outside "beautifying" her property. She was a master landscaper, a poet, a lover of 1940's Big Bands and Frank Sinatra's music, a sharp card player, and a good pool player. She loved telling and retelling stories about growing up on East 7th Street. Irene especially enjoyed interacting with slot machines in Las Vegas, Colorado, and Texas casinos. And she was lucky. So lucky, in fact, that she beat breast cancer (twice) and ovarian cancer. Irene was the real deal, genuine and giving, she tried to see the best in everyone. She was playful and mischievous, the life of the party, with a sparkle in her eyes and a contagious laugh. She'd laugh until tears ran down her face. Generous to a fault, she would give you the shirt off her back, if you needed it. A true child of the Depression, she was a tireless worker and she literally saved everything – you know…just in case. Besides her parents, Irene was preceded in death by husbands Robert H. Mayes, who passed in 2005, and Patsy Scutella, who passed in 1968; many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins - all of whom she cherished; her high school pal, Marie Cook; and the great women in her 'Lunch Bunch' in Del Rio, Texas. Irene is survived by brothers and sisters-in-law: Edward Warzyniak, Bernie and Doris Warzynak, Bob and Nancy Warzyniak, and the nieces & nephews that "Aunt Irene" adored: Carol Branson, Eddie & Jill Warzyniak, Mark & Lisa Warzyniak, Bob & Laurie Warzyniak, Linda & Donny Watkins, Laurie & Steve Weed, Danny Warzynak & Mindy Eisele, Barbara & Gary Nutter, Brian & Jen Warzynak, 'Little' Bernie Warzynak, and Andy & Shauna Warzynak. Left behind to forever miss everything about her: Her son, Bob Mazur; her favorite daughter Rose and son-in-law Kenny Mankowski; her grandson Rob Mazur and his wife, Kristen; great-granddaughters, Sonia and Alma Mazur; her forever daughter-in-law, Cheryl Burns; the Sweetest God-daughter, Laurie Weed; Cousins: Carol & Doug Rodgers, Tommy & Rose Ropelewski, and Pat & Lee-Ann Czytuck; Dear and caring friends Yolanda McNamara, and Evelyn & Abel Garcia; and last but not least, her cat, Baby. There will be no viewing or services.