1926 – 2016

CUMMING, Ga. — Irene Dorothy Gordon, 90, of Marlboro, Mass., passed away Tuesday, Oct. 11, in Cumming, Ga., after complications during surgery.

She was born in Rumford on Aug. 26, 1926, the daughter of Arthur and Ethyl Broomhall.

Irene and Leo moved to Worcester, Mass., in the early 1950s and Marlboro, Mass., in the late 1950s. The family lived for over 50 years on the shores of Fort Meadow Reservoir. The lake provided years of fun through fishing, boating, skiing, ice hockey and swimming.

Irene worked at the historic Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Mass., where she was the lead hostess for over 20 years. Her work ethic was strong, but she never let it get in the way of taking care of her family.

Up until her death, she was able to travel extensively to visit children in Illinois, Georgia and Florida. She spent her 80th birthday in Hawaii with her children.

She loved to play the penny slots and was known to be seen in gambling establishments and bingo halls from Las Vegas to the East Coast up to her 90th birthday. While she loved her family, she turned fiercely competitive if you got her in a game of cribbage!

Irene was a giver and never asked for anything in return but a hug and a kiss. For someone who never achieved tremendous wealth, she gave not only her money, but her time, advice and compassion. Her love of her family kept her active and alive for 90 years. Even at that age, the expectation was that she would live for another 10 or 20 years as her mind was exceptionally sharp and her body wasn’t far behind. Her family and friends already miss her tremendously.

She is survived by her five children, William Gordon, Christy Green (Burt), James Gordon (Gloria), Robert Gordon (Lanae) and Richard Gordon; nine grandchildren, Seth Gordon, Modesty McNally, Brett Gordon, Kirk Gordon, Heather Roseland, Michael Gordon, Nicholas Gordon, Ashley Gordon and Michelle Gordon; seven great-grandchildren, Stella, Jacob, Sabryn, Kiernan, Kaitlyn, Chase and Kaliegh; and siblings, Wendall “Chummey” Broomhall, Ethelyne Broomhall, Ruth Scammon, Erlon “Bucky” Broomhall, Raymond Broomhall and Phillip “ Butch” Broomhall.

She was predeceased by her husband, Leo Eugene Gordon; and siblings, Victor Broomhall, William “Cy” Broomhall, Charles “Slim” Broomhall, Margaret “Peggy” Broomhall and Robert “Bobby” Broomhall.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and other staff at Northside Hospital for their care of Irene in her final days. They were especially touched by the outpouring of support and kind words from Irene’s friends and extended family.

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