Harris, Irene Isabel, passed peacefully at her home May 25, 2011. Born in 1918, in the small river town of Rosiclare, Illinois, she was Vernon and Catherine Soward's second child of four. Growing up on the family farm inspired many happy memories. After graduating from Rosiclare High School, she continued her education in nurses training at Wilburn Walker Hospital in Evanston, Illinois. Irene enlisted in the Army Nurse Corp. at the beginning of WWII serving in Europe and in the war-torn field hospitals that followed the invasion of Normandy. Irene's unit, deployed at Normandy on D-6, was notable as the first group of women allowed by our country to enter the invasion's harsh combat environment. She was awarded a Bronze Star for meritorious service. Returning home after the war, Irene went to work at the VA Hospital in Marion, Illinois, where she cared for patient Jim Harris (d. 2006), who was to become her husband of 60 years. They married, moved to Los Angeles and began their life together creating a family of two boys and two girls. In 1958, the Harris Family moved to their Anaheim home where Irene lived until her passing. Irene was passionate about family and friends. Irene is survived by her sister, Doris Knop; her children, Carol Lamkins, Jeffrey Harris, Gregory Harris and Peggy Gardner; her ten grandchildren, April, Heather, Curtis, Kevin, Rollie, Caitlin, Cassie, Kasey, Christopher and Abigail; two great-granddaughters, Brianna and Rory; and many close and loving nephews, nieces and cousins throughout the country. As neighbors and friends will attest and as family knew, Irene was singularly special as she enriched people's lives. Whether it be her warm smile or receiving one of her letters in the mail, Irene will be greatly missed by all those she touched. Interment is at Riverside National Cemetery on Thursday, June 2, 2011, 1:30 pm. The Memorial Service for family and friends is to be held on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 10:00 am at Hilgenfeld Mortuary Chapel, 120 East Broadway Avenue, Anaheim, CA. Hilgenfeld Mortuary