Happy birthday, Irene Leblond of Winsted!

The following was contributed by Irene Leblond’s nephew, Windsor resident Dave LeBlond and niece, Leatha Warenda of Litchfield, N.H. Ms. Leblond has lived in Winsted for more than 80 years and celebrated her 100th birthday this week.

WINSTED — One hundred years ago, on Oct. 5, 1920, Winsted resident Irene Leblond was born in Plainfield. She moved to Winsted more than 80 years ago. She has been a devoted member of St. Joseph’s parish on Oak Street in Winsted. For many years, she worked as a machine repair technician at Mason thread company, right in her own neighborhood. She says with a laugh that she was never late for work. Irene has served her community by baking bread and doing house cleaning, along with her older sister, for many years. Irene is an excellent cook and baker. At the age of 100, she still cooks all her own food and insists on serving family a meal each time they visit.

Irene is a gardener and an artist. She’s grown her own vegetables and flowers, and has nurtured her dad’s famous concord grapes. She has done many oil paintings along with her four sisters. She was known to be quite a whip while ice skating on Highland Lake with her sisters and brothers.

The daughter of Canadian parents, Irene is one of eight siblings. Two of her sisters are still living: Rita Pasquarello, 96, of Winsted and Beatrice Rodrigue, 101, of California. Irene has 25 nieces and nephews and countless great-nieces and nephews. Sundays for Irene have always been for worship, family, card games and conversation. After church and dinner, the family would enjoy playing canasta while speaking French – younger family members always thought they were telling secrets. Quite a knitter, Irene loves needlework and making afghans for family and friends, having done so up until just recently.

Irene touches the lives of anyone she meets. One family member recently noted, “She has the sweetest, most gentle voice, which matches her demeanor.” Happy Birthday to sweet Aunt Irene!