Irene Adams

Irene Mary (O'Connor) Geoffrion Adams, age 94, after a long and full life, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in Ballwin, Missouri.

Irene was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on April 9, 1932, to Walter and Mary (Reynolds) O'Connor. Her only sibling Joan was born six years later. When Irene was ten, the family moved to Agawam, Massachusetts, where her father had a seaplane base.

In 1949, Irene graduated from Agawam Senior High in the business program. During her senior year, she met Walter ‘Jeff’ Geoffrion at the Saturday night YMCA dances. They married September 1, 1952, beginning a life together rooted in their Catholic faith and centered around the family they built with their seven children.

Irene and Jeff lived outside of Kalamazoo, Chicago, and St. Louis, among other locales, and developed deep friendships in their new neighborhoods and bridge groups. Jeff and Irene took the growing family every summer on vacation–originally in a pink '58 Mercury station wagon–to visit relatives back East along with exploring new places and activities such as camping, fishing, spelunking, and canoeing.

Throughout her life, Irene enjoyed reading, playing the piano, knitting, dancing, bridge, and singing although, regretfully, none of her children had her ear for music. One of her greatest accomplishments was attaining the status of duplicate bridge Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League.

After Jeff died in 1972, Irene shouldered the responsibility of raising seven children on her own. She re-entered the work force, took classes, earned her associate's degree, and became an executive secretary for the owner of an engineering company. Irene was a member and officer of Professional Secretaries International (PSI) and recognized as the St. Louis Chapter Secretary of the Year in 1982 while representing William Tao & Associates, and in 1985, was named International Secretary of the Year at the annual PSI convention.

Irene and Jeff had high expectations for their children's futures, and as a single mother, Irene held these same aspirations for them. Irene was extremely proud that all seven of her children attended college and technical schools, graduating with degrees in various career areas, and becoming successful in their fields and businesses.

In 1980, Irene met George Adams, father of four and local business owner, who enjoyed taking her dancing and was not intimidated by how many children she had. They were happily married for over thirty years.

During this time, Irene became an avid Cardinals baseball and football fan. Heaven help the son or daughter who called to chat during game time! She was desolate when the football Cardinals departed for Phoenix and again when the Rams came and went.

When she retired, Irene returned to her love of music and piano by taking organ lessons. She had a large and beautiful organ in her living room and gave concerts to her grandchildren.

Irene participated in the annual family July 4th float trips on rivers in Missouri, accompanied her children and their families on road trips to the Grand Canyon and other national parks, and frequently visited her sister Joan in Florida.

Irene was preceded in death by husbands Jeff (1972) and George (2012), stepdaughter Joni (Adams) Bliss, son-in-law Donald Wantling, daughter-in-law Sandra (Whitaker) Geoffrion, and brothers-in-law William Martel, Philip Geoffrion, and Robert Geoffrion, nephew Jimmy Martel, and niece Sharon Geoffrion.

Surviving are her children Susan Geoffrion Neverve (Jerry), James (Linda), Michael, Nanette Geoffrion Turanski (David), Ronald (the late Sandra), Daniel, and Kathleen Geoffrion Wantling (the late Donald), stepsons Herbert Adams and Michael Adams (Linda), son-in-law Mark Bliss (the late Joni), and her sister Joan (O'Connor) Martel.

Additionally, grandchildren Brett Neverve, Chris Neverve, Bree Geoffrion Klawien (Rory), Logan Geoffrion (Theresa), Rachel Turanski, Jacob Turanski, Will Turanski (Nicole), Luke Turanski, Becca Bliss Beussink (JP), Bailey Bliss (Federico Bustos), David Adams (Casey), Michael Adams, Miranda Adams, Sarah Geoffrion Beall (Elliott), Jacob Geoffrion, and Adam Geoffrion (Rachel), Elise Wantling, Mallory Wantling, Chelsea Wantling, and Kara Wantling plus great-grandchildren Mason, Rowan, Fiona, Hudson, Nolan, Paisley, Athenna, Meika, Meilo, Wesley, Charlotte, Ava Marie, and Brooke.

Irene wished to be cremated and her name placed on her husbands' headstones. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Irene M. Adams to the Alzheimer's Association P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, 800-272-3900, or online.

Memorial services were held Monday, August 31, 2026, in St. Louis.