Sister Irene was one of seven children born to the late Thomas and Clara (Begnel) McGrath in Woodson, Illinois. Her home parish was St. Bartholomew in Murrayville, Illinois. She made her first profession on July 1, 1944 in Ruma, Illinois, and final vows on July 1, 1949.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in religion, with minors in education and philosophy, from Saint Louis University in 1955. She earned her master’s in library science and theology from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1965. She held Illinois state certificates in limited elementary supervision and secondary teaching, and she became certified in spiritual direction through the Jesuit School of Theology in Chicago in 1979.

Sister Irene taught elementary school in Illinois at St. Elizabeth School in East St. Louis, Sacred Heart School in Dupo, St. Albert the Great School in Fairview Heights and St. Joseph School in Olney, as well as Visitation School in Vienna, Missouri. She also taught at St. Teresa Academy in East St. Louis and at Precious Blood Institute, a high school for girls on the grounds of the Province Center. She was the parish religion coordinator for St. Francis Xavier in Carbondale and St. Andrew in Murphysboro, Illinois. Her work with adult formation included being director of Jerusalem House of Prayer in Sedalia, Missouri, and director of renewal of the laity for the Diocese of Jefferson City. She also served as a spiritual director in St. Louis.

Sister Irene was named the provincial superior of the former Ruma Province in 1972. She was known as a woman of prayer who was also in touch with the reality of our times. In the early 1970s, she was keenly aware that the “experience of ourselves and of our world tells us all too clearly that there is a crying need of reconciliation” within each person, between persons and between the person and God. She planned a “Summer of Reconciliation” in 1974 for the Province of Ruma, inviting sisters to choose from a variety of retreats at King’s House in Belleville.

She enjoyed reading, walking, music, the beauty of nature and quiet time. She was always open to a thoughtful conversation about spiritual journeys and newly discovered insights. She gave any visitor a warm welcome, letting them know she was grateful for a time to chat. Small kindnesses touched her deeply. Sister Irene looked for the best in others and expressed her joy when one of the sisters or the staff at Ruma had some success.

She loved her family and had a strong relationship with each of them, delighting in the time they could visit or even talk on the phone. She maintained close relationships with nieces and nephews.

Sister Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Marie (Harold) Drainer and Helen (Coy) Graham; and her brothers, Leonard (Teresa), Vincent (Leona), Thomas and Leo McGrath.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Leeanne, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and members of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ.

Burial was in the Ruma ASC Cemetery.