Obituary of Irene M. MacGillivray
Irene Marguerite MacGillivray passed away on December 20, 2021, in Denville, NJ at the age of 100. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, and tireless devotion to her family and friends.
Irene was born to Harry and Louise Pyle on January 8, 1921, in Brooklyn, NY. She was raised alongside her older sister, Thelma, in a classic brownstone, where she lived until the day she was married. On rare occasions, Irene shared stories of her childhood during the Great Depression and young adulthood during World War II.
Irene met the love of her life, Donald MacGillivray, while working at the Royal Insurance Company. They married on July 4, 1946, and settled into their first apartment in Bronx, NY where they started a family. They relocated to Yonkers, NY, and Edgemont, NY, respectively, as the family grew. After their children were fully grown, Irene and Donald downsized to Bronxville, NY, and eventually retired to Orleans, MA, where they often vacationed. In their final years, Irene and Donald moved in with family in Denville, NJ, but kept their Orleans home for all the family members to enjoy. Irene and Donald were active members of the Leewood Golf Club couples’ bowling league in Eastchester, NY, where she also enjoyed playing rounds of golf with the ladies and attending social events.
Irene and Donald explored the world together. They started with frequent family trips to the NJ shore, Vermont, and Cape Cod. Over the years, family vacations included locations from the Caribbean to the Pacific. Irene and Donald ventured further once they were empty nesters traveling to Africa, China, Australia, and Europe as well as exploring Alaska and the Rockies. Irene probably never imagined she would experience rafting down rapids or a hot air balloon ride while on these adventures.
Irene was a woman of commitment and poise. Every day she woke up at dawn to enjoy a cup of coffee before orchestrating daily activities for her 3 children. She maintained a tidy home and entertained extended family during the holiday seasons. Irene was co-owner of Bon Cores but she mostly loved caring for children and worked many years for Greenville Community Playschool. She demonstrated emotional fortitude and encouraged supporting the ones we love. She believed in true friendship and looking beyond the superficial. Irene was a shining light in all of our lives. May we carry on her legacy.
Irene is survived by her daughter Kyle MacGillivray of Easton, CT; daughter Jill Worrall and husband Jim of Denville, NJ; son Glen MacGillivray and wife Katy McEnroe of Sharon, CT. Irene is also survived by daughter-in-law Patricia MacGillivray; grandchildren Donny Kraft and wife Lori, Jesse Kraft and wife Lourdes, Kelly Annunziata and husband Anthony, Dylan Stone and wife Jocie, Emma Worrall, Ryan MacGillivray, Sean MacGillivray and fiancée Hailey Carter, James Worrall and wife Ayse, Lia Stone, and Katerin McEnroe; great-grandchildren Tahlia and Tristan and Zenia Kraft, Reagan and Lainey Kraft, Kai and Arela Worrall, Avery Annunziata, and Carter MacGillivray.
Irene was predeceased by her husband, Donald.
Public Walkthrough Visitation will be held on Friday, January 7th from 4 - 6 pm at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ 07834. **Masks will be required and social distancing is a must** Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 8th - the day that Irene would have spent 101 years making this world a better place - at 10 am at First Presbyterian Church, 35 Church St, Rockaway, NJ 07866. **Social Distancing/Masks/Sign-In Sheet are required to attend Mass** Burial will follow at Denville Cemetery in Denville. Memorial Donations are being accepted in Irene's memory by way of www.inmemof.org to ensure receipt of your donation to either the United Methodist Women at Denville Community Church or St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, and share your favorite memory of Irene here to continue to celebrate the incredible life she endowed to us.
