Obituary of Irene Cornelia Card
With deep love and profound sadness, the family of Irene Cornelia Card announces her peaceful passing on August 29, 2025, at the age of 87.
Born on October 29, 1937, in Fairlawn, New Jersey, to Cornelius and Jessie Dykhuis, Irene spent her early years in Prospect Park, growing up alongside her beloved siblings, Henry and Elizabeth. A proud graduate of Hawthorne High School, Class of 1955, Irene would soon embark on the extraordinary journey that defined her life — one rooted in service, strength, and love.
After graduation, Irene started her career at Prudential Insurance, her first introduction to a field that would become her life’s work. In October of 1958, she met the love of her life, Arnold Card. Their connection was instant and unshakable. Two months later, in December, he was drafted and went off to boot camp. In July of 1959 he came home on leave, they were married, and he was immediately deployed to Germany. Irene joined him in October 1959 to begin a new chapter overseas.
As a military spouse in Germany, Irene’s sense of purpose flourished. At the urging of the chaplain, she organized the “Bamberg Economettes” a group of wives of the drafted and enlisted men, who knitted hats, scarfs, and mittens to deliver to refugee camps. Later, through her leadership and compassion, she chartered and signed for a private Sabena jet for the wives to return to the US.
Upon returning to New Jersey, Irene and Arnold lived in Butler, before settling in Kinnelon in 1973, where they spent the next 52 years together. After working with her brother-in-law's medical practice, she set up the practice for two oncologists and served as their office manager for many years. It was here that she saw a need for someone to assist with the arduous task of claims processing when a life was disrupted by cancer. She took a leap of faith and founded Medical Insurance Claims, Inc. a company rooted in her deep empathy, fierce advocacy, and tireless work ethic.
For decades, Irene dedicated herself to helping others navigate the complex world of claims submission of medical bills and health insurance. She became a renowned authority on health insurance and became a frequent speaker for the cancer communities. Irene never allowed red tape to stand between her clients and the care they needed. Her impact was far-reaching: she served as the only non-nurse board member on the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation; penned numerous articles and a long-running column for The Suburban Trends entitled Understanding Health Insurance; and was even featured on the Today Show for her pioneering work.
Over the years, in her professional life, Irene was part of many organizations, often holding leadership roles. She belonged to the Tri-Boro Chamber of Commerce, Executive Association of NJ, New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners, and Soroptimist International, which later became Women’s Service Organization. She served as the insurance advisor to the Post Treatment Resource Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering and spoke frequently for the cancer support group at Morristown Memorial hospital, as well as others across the country.
In her personal life, she was active in the United Methodist church, which is where she had met Arnold. Early service started with teaching Sunday school and serving as co-counselor to the Methodist Youth Fellowship. Over the years she has served on many committees such as Church Treasurer, Nursery School Board, Staff Parish Relations, and Administrative Council. She Chaired the Conference Health Insurance Program and belonged to the United Methodist Women. On her urging, she and Arnold co-founded The Open-Door Chapter of Toastmasters International that met at the Denville United Methodist Church, and she participated in The American Rhododendron Society.
Her heart was equally committed to justice and protection. She was a member of the Women’s Service Organization, a network of women who provided financial support to the Battered Women’s Group of New Jersey.
Always in motion, always giving, Irene's mission in life was simple: to leave the world a better place than she found it. That mission continues today through her daughter, Betsy, who now carries on her mother’s legacy through MIC Insurance Services.
But above all, Irene’s greatest accomplishment was her family. With Arnold, she raised two children, Adrian and Betsy, with boundless love and humor. Nothing brought her more joy than the arrival of her granddaughter, Katherine Elizabeth — the light of her later years. To Irene, family was the heartbeat of life, and every moment shared was a treasured gift.
Irene leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and unwavering dedication. She will be deeply missed by her beloved husband of 66 years, Arnold Card; her children, Adrian Card (Peter Brodigan) and Betsy Chandler (Terry); her granddaughter, Katherine E. Chandler; her sisters-in-law, Luella “Lou” Dykhuis and Dolores Kreps, and brother-in-law Arthur Gionti, MD; and many nieces, nephews, colleagues, and friends whose lives she touched.
She is now reunited in peace with those who went before her: her parents, Cornelius and Jessie Dykhuis; her parents-in-law Arnold Sr. and Elizabeth Card; her brother, Henry Dykhuis; her sister, Elizabeth Gionti, and son-in-law John Tinker, Ph.D.
In lieu of flowers, Irene’s family would appreciate your honoring her spirit and legacy by spending time with family, shut-in’s, or the elderly and young people. “It’s that can-do spirit.” If you prefer to make a donation in her name to an organization that she cared for in life please consider either Cumac, or to the Denville Community United Methodist Church. Memorial Donations can be made via inmemof.org.
A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered. A service to celebrate Irene’s life will be held on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 10 AM at Denville Community United Methodist Church. Please join us to celebrate the life of this incredible woman, and please leave a condolence, share a memory, to let Irene’s light shine!
To access the livestream of Irene's service, please click HERE for the Youtube version, or HERE for the Facebook version.
