Obituary of Irene J. Berg

Irene J. Berg, 87, of Jamestown, passed away Friday morning, July 17, 2020 at the Lutheran Retirement Home. She was born October 9, 1932 in Busti, NY, one of seven children of the late G. William and Bernice M. Smith Olson and was a 1949 graduate of Lakewood Central School. A member of Zion Covenant Church, Irene also belonged to the Antique Study Club, Hilldale Garden Club, TOPS, and Chautauqua Squares where she was secretary for many years. In earlier years, Irene worked as a dry cleaner and seamstress for the former Fairmount Dry Cleaners and later did home healthcare for Chautauqua Opportunities. She was also a landlord for many years locally. Irene loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. She was lovingly known as "Nana" to her grandchildren. Her greatest passion was working in her garden, planting flowers, and doing lawn work. Irene was known for her green thumb as she could make anything grow. She was also known for knowing the name of each flower that she saw. Evermore the nature lover, Irene found great pleasure in watching birds eating from her bird feeders which hung just outside her window. Irene had always been a hard worker and typically had some kind of painting project going on. Her family often found her in paint splattered clothes with paint speckled hands. Irene raised her two daughters while working at the dry cleaners during the day and completing seamstress jobs at night. Irene was a voracious reader, who particularly enjoyed reading memoirs and biographies. She loved to learn and read about other peoples' lives. She was also a crocheter who made numerous afghans. Each of her children and grandchildren have at least one or two afghans made especially for them. Irene was a great dancer and traveled many places to square dance over the years. Nana will be dearly missed by her friends and family. It was she who could always bring a smile to anyone's face. Surviving are Irene's two daughters, Tami L. Ducat (Ron) of Lakewood and Kim R. Buck (Tracy) of Kennedy; four grandchildren: Jason Juel (Stacey) of Jamestown, Jessica Willett (Cody) of Ashville, Lindsey Buck of Orchard Park and Chad Buck (Leanna) of Kennedy; three great-grandchildren: Ethan Juel, and Carter and Kendall Willett; her former son-in-law, Jim Juel of Jamestown; and a sister, Blanche Carlson of Panama. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Larry, George, Arthur and Clarence Olson; a sister, Mary Barnes; and also her loving companion, George Wallace. Special Thanks to Jim Juel who walked with her daily; Doc and Sue who checked on her nightly; Dick who took care of the snow in her driveway; Carol for help caring for her; and All of her loving neighbors and others who just kept an eye on her. Observing NYS COVID-19 regulations for room capacity in funeral homes, the family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. noon Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. Masks are required. A private family graveside service will be held in the Busti Cemetery, officiated by Rev. Rick Miller. Memorials may be made to Lutheran Jamestown, Lutheran's Campus Gardening Program, 715 Falconer St., Jamestown, NY 14701.