Irene M. Homa

Grantsville MD - On June 24, Irene M. Homa went to rest with her Lord and to be united with her
husband. She was a recent resident at Goodwill Retirement Community, Grantsville, MD.
Irene was born on August 20, 1923, in Binghamton, NY. Her parents immigrated to the United
States from Eastern Europe in the early 1900's; her father Victor Fedor was a barber and avid
gardener and died when Irene was in High School; and her mother Stefania [Bartelt] Fedor was a
homemaker and then supported the family by working at Endicott-Johnson.
Irene graduated from Binghamton Central High in 1940. She worked part- time in school and later
worked to support the war effort. She married her high school sweetheart, John Homa on August 4,
1945 and ultimately settled in Tompkins County, NY, in the early 1950's where her husband was a
commercial pilot for Robinson Airlines, which transitioned to Mohawk, Allegheny, and US Airlines.
They shared their home on Pleasant Grove Road for fifty-five years. Irene was driven and never
lacked determination. She was a founding member of St. Catherine of Sienna Parish in Ithaca, NY
and was actively involved with woman's activities at the parish. She worked as a Board of Election
Inspector for several decades; and also at the Clothes Horse and Waits Furniture for many years.
Later she successfully operated a small garden center specializing in chrysanthemums. After
retirement she was an active member of the Finger Lakes Kennel Club and Welsh Terrier Association
of America. She bred Welsh terriers; as a handler she showed three of her pups as "Champions". She
bred and co-owned Champion Sir Dustin of Llenroc that took Best of in Breed in 1994 at the
Kanadasaga Kennel Club and also took Best of Show in 1996 at the Onondaga Kennel Association's
Sampson show. Irene was an excellent seamstress, embroiderer, cook, and most of all enjoyed
spending time in her gardens.
Irene was gregarious, loved children, and supported her granddaughter's school and 4-H activities.
She befriended many Cornell graduate students and their families; they often participated in holiday
activities at Irene's home as travel to distant homes was difficult. She believed in long friendships;
Katie, Velma, Lucile, Lois; Aurora Street apartment neighbors and friendships made in the early 50's
lasted into the 21
st
Century. Irene was clearly a care giver; and was a voice of encouragement when
friends or family members dealt with health issues: she provided comfort and hospice care for
several close friends
Irene is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Homa of Lansing, NY; son, John Homa, Jr. and wife Joy
Lynne [Pfeiffer] of Grantsville, MD; granddaughter, Jessica Greenwood and husband, Daniel, and
their children, Joshua and Rebecca, of Hingham, MA. She has many nieces and nephews with
family names of Homa, Gramata, Lopata, Galayda, Northrop, Decker, Chergosky, Piza, Moyer,
Martinichio, Janeck, Galusha, Ludden, Zabocki; many have resided in the Binghamton area. She
was pre-deceased by her husband John in 2008, and her sisters - Georgiana, Victoria, Mary Jane,
and Julie; Irene was the last surviving member of her siblings.
Calling hours will be held at Bangs Funeral Home, Ithaca, NY, on Tuesday from 3:30 P.M. to 5:30
P.M. Mass will begin at the St. Catherine of Sienna Parish on Wednesday at 11:00 A.M., followed
by interment at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Ithaca, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Institute on Aging Budget Officer,
Financial Management Branch, Building 31, Room 2C-06, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2292, Bethesda,