Life Tributes Irene Gouveia Oberbauer

November 6, 1956 - November 21, 2020

SAN DIEGO —

Irene Gouveia Oberbauer, 64, of Point Loma, passed away at home on November 21, 2020, lovingly attended by her husband and two sons. Irene was born in San Diego, the third child of John and Mary Gouveia, who both grew up on Madeira Island, Portugal. Her upbringing, while her father was away fishing, instilled a strong work ethic since she assisted with family properties and cleaned houses until she was 20.

Irene attended Point Loma High School and then business college. Later, Irene worked in an investment office before working in the Planning Department at the County of San Diego, where she met Thomas A. Oberbauer, her future husband. After marrying Tom, she later worked at the Auditor and Controller’s Office at the County.

After having her first child, Paul, Irene obtained a B.A. degree from San Diego State University, while working full time. Because of Irene’s interest in helping and managing people, she became the human resources representative for the Auditor and Controller’s office at the County. She then joined San Diego County Credit Union, where she worked as the leader of business development and eventually became President and CEO. She carried the San Diego County Credit Union forward through the global financial crisis of 2007-2008 due to her devotion to work and input from her staff advisers, who assisted her in making intelligent choices.

Her philosophies in life were very clear: Work hard and efficiently; care for people who work for you or with you; be fair in every decision you make; provide tokens and reminders that you care; and above all, get things done. Her skills and compassion for working with people led staff to tell her that she helped them become better at their jobs than they thought possible.

After retiring from the Credit Union, Irene took on the tasks of supporting the Susan G. Komen Foundation and MakeA-Wish Foundation. She acted as board chair for local chapters of both of these organizations.

For Komen, she took it upon herself to become fundraiser of the year for the annual Race for the

Cure Walk for multiple years, raising a total of $280,000. Her team name was “IO it to myself ” which was a play on her initials and her goal that everyone can fulfill their own dream. For Make-A-Wish, she funded wishes and worked with families who had children with health issues who were recipients of wishgranting. Through her involvement in her career and her philanthropic endeavors, Irene never sought attention and rewards for herself. She simply expected a quick acknowledgment before moving on to the next task.

With her younger brother, she was a major caregiver for her parents as they lived into their 90s, providing food and participating in countless doctor visits during their multiple health issues. She had her own health challenges that lasted for more than eleven years, and she worked hard to control them through the guidance of the UCSD Moores Cancer Center. She was exceptionally strong in will and physical stamina, and that fortitude allowed her to live long after her diagnosis.

Aside from the fact that her appearance was striking, Irene had many interests and dreams, including real estate, traveling - especially to Hawaii, creating garments as a seamstress, cooking and baking gourmet foods, and more recently, creating music with guitar and ukulele.

In addition, she has always offered counseling to those seeking guidance regarding business needs, a severe illness, or as a friend. When Irene made friends, no matter who they were, she kept their friendship and communicated with them all. She would do anything for somebody who needed assistance and had a vast set of friends who assisted her through her medical treatments. For her family, she was a beacon who always had a view, and a logical thought process for decision making.

Every person with whom Irene connected felt richer from the experience. Most of them say she was one of the most amazing, compassionate, and caring people they had ever met.

Irene was preceded in death by her sister, Mary G. Walsh, and her parents, John Batista Gouveia

Sr. and Mary Teixeira Gouveia. She is survived by her husband Tom; brothers, John (Danita, Natalya, and Adam) and Dean; son, Paul (Lauren) and grandchild, Gwen; and son, Sean.

We have been honored and blessed to have her in our lives.

Services will be held at a later time due to the coronavirus restrictions.