Kathleen Marie “Kathy” Irwin, 70, of Red Bank, a loving sister and aunt, passed away March 1, 2025. She was born Jan. 7, 1955, in Portsmouth, Virginia, the daughter of the late George J. and Martha A. (Werner) Irwin.
Kathy graduated from Mater Dei High School in Middletown in 1973 and from the University of Delaware in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She worked as a nurse in hospitals in New Jersey, Philadelphia and Virginia Beach and spent the latter part of her career as a health care safety and quality assurance specialist. She made many lifelong friendships during her nursing career.
Kathy was also a liver transplant recipient and an ardent advocate of organ donation.
Kathy enjoyed painting, photography, going to the beach, skiing, visiting the seashore and sharing a witty quip or joke. She cherished following her nieces’ and nephews’ accomplishments and loved spending the holidays and life events with them.
Whether it was a set for the local theater, a picture or a family game, Kathy loved to paint. She spent many an hour designing and painting sets and props with local theaters. She was a loved and respected member of the theater community. She also shared some great times with theater friends in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. The group would meet every Labor Day at a cabin in the mountains, where they would play games, hike the mountains, go to the county fair and sit around the campfire singing show and folk tunes.
Kathy was a loving sister, aunt and friend. She is survived by her siblings, John (Karin) of Roxbury, Connecticut, George (Linda Purtell) of Basking Ridge, Thomas (Carolyn) of Jersey City, and Charles (Ann Schrevens) of Morristown, as well as her nieces and nephews, Matthew, Sarah, Allison, Sean and Darcy, and many cousins.
She was predeceased by her sister Theresa.
Visitation was held March 11 at the John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A Mass of Christian burial was held March 12 at St. Mary’s Church, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Donate Life America, an organization that encourages organ, eye and tissue donation, at donatelife.net.
The article originally appeared in the March 13 – 19, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
