Irene Louise Lafond

Irene Lafond, age 86, our loving mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, passed away June 14, 2024.

Irene was known for her energetic and adventurous personality. She worked for Sandia Labs from 1959-1967 and APS for 26 years after that as a Librarian. Irene volunteered for Pope Joy and Blue Star Mothers. She was a line dancer, ballroom dancer and played bridge and dominos regularly. She loved the traveling she got to do. She did an Alaskan cruise, many "Mystery Tours", a trip to Italy, saw the Rosebowl Parade, and Monterey Bay, among other trips. She is survived by her daughter, Diana Orchard, and son-in-law Bob; her son, Doug Lafond, and daughter-in-law Julia; her grandson, Joshua Newman and his wife, Sarah, their children, Brooke and Jameson, Irene's great-grandchildren. She also leaves many cherished nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Also touching Irene's life were the many ladies and gents that she spent time with playing bridge, dominos, dancing and traveling. Irene is proceeded in death by her husband, Robert E. Lafond.

A Rosary will be held August 8, 2024, at 2:00 with a reception to follow, at FRENCH-Lomas.

Irene left these messages, among others, in notes for us to find, "Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts." A quote from Charles Dickens' Hard Times.

I'd like the memory of me

to be happy one.

I'd like to leave an afterglow

of smiles when life is done.

I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

of happy times and laughing

times and bright and sunny days.

I'd like the tears of those who grieve,

to dry before the sun

of happy memories that I leave

when life is done.

-Authur unknown