Irene Olschewski McDonald

Irene Marie Olschewski McDonald,86, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 11, 2020.  A private graveside service will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at Hillsborough Town Cemetery officiated by Father Ryan Elder.

Irene was born April 10, 1934 in Trenton, New Jersey to the late Anthony and Jennie (Jezewski) Olschewski.  She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a loving, thoughtful and firm mother for her biological and adoptive kids. Never did she turn away any child or person from her home or table who needed love. It is this that made her such a special and wonderful Mother who will be missed.

She was a caring and dedicated Registered Nurse for 40 years. Her toughest and most rewarding job was a Pediatric Critical Care Nurse at Duke Medical Hospital where she retired. Here she met several of the men’s Duke Blue Devils basketball teams.

When not working she rarely spent her time being idle.  She loved spending her off time in her garden taking care of her plants and flowers watching them grow and thrive.  She also enjoyed crocheting beautiful afghans, Angels and doilies. She was a dedicated servant of the Lord in her Catholic faith.

Along with her parents, Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Perry McDonald; sister, Clara Green; and brothers: Anthony, Hank and Stanley Olschewski.

Survivors include her daughter, Karen Apple and husband, Leon; sons: Phillip Stephen McDonald, Paul Michael McDonald and wife, Carolyn, and Robert Perry McDonald; grandchildren: Tyler and Ashley McDonald and Nick Apple; and sister-in-laws, Janice and Gloria Olschewski. The family will be at the residence .