Irene F. Blieden, 94

GREENVILLE, R.I. - Irene F. Blieden (Schlossberg), formerly Irene Viola of Cranston, has called The Village at Waterman Lake her home for the past 12 years. She passed away peacefully on March 23 with her loving daughter Toni by her side.

Born in Dorchester, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Fladger) Schlossberg. Mother of the late Jackie Nichols of Cranston, she is survived by her son Bill Lipman and his wife Karen of Coronado, Calif.; and her daughters Gail Jacobs and her husband Benjamin of Bethesda, Md. and Toni Viola of West Greenwich. Irene was blessed with 7 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

From a young age, she was performing on the stage. Those were the days of vaudeville; Irene danced her way through life. As an adult and mother, she became a dance instructor with her brother Harris Shaw. She organized and choreographed shows for the Jewish Community Center, worked as a fashion model, was the owner of Teen Haven, a fashion boutique in the 1950s, and was a buyer for a local department store.  

Her love for entertaining wasn’t limited to the stage. Irene was equally talented with her culinary and decorating skills. Always an elegant hostess, she lovingly and effortlessly orchestrated unforgettable celebrations for family and friends. To all who knew and loved Irene, she will always be unforgettable.

Donations may be made to St. Mary Academy - Bay View Scholarship Fund, 3070 Pawtucket Ave., East Providence, R.I. 02915.