Irene Constance McCartney

ELKHART — Irene Constance McCartney of Elkhart, 99, passed into the arms of her dear Lord at 10:55 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23, 2018.

She was born, July 12, 1919, at 12 Duke St., in Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, England, to Franklin Herbert (1896-1964) and Mildred Alice (Rymill) (1895-1982) Whitlock.

In 1931, she began attendance at Haywood School for Girls in Nottingham, where she played the viola in the orchestra and received awards for swimming and lifesaving.

Irene was a switch board operator in Britain’s Woman’s Auxiliary Air Force, during World War II from 1941-1943.

She married Clarence McCartney of Findlay, Ohio, in Nottingham in 1945, and came to America in 1946 on the USAT Henry Gibbons, settling in Elkhart.

Irene worked behind the soda fountain at Houseworth Brothers’ Rexall Drug Store at 225 Main St. (next to the former Stationer’s store) in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

In 1963, she went to work at Taylor Products, and worked as a machine operator until she retired in 1985.

Irene was an avid walker. On any given day she could be seen walking between her home, work, and shopping.

Over the decades, she became somewhat notable, making many friends through casual conversation and being recognized as walking all over town.

She also frequented both the Pierre Moran and Concord malls.

After 60 years of walking, she eventually took a much-deserved seat in the late 2000s.

Irene is survived by her son, Paul McCartney (b.1953) and daughter Vicky Whicker (b.1948) of Elkhart, and her eldest son, Francis (Leslie) McCartney of Yuma, Arizona.

She has six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded by a sister, Coral Doreen Hanson (Whitlock) (1923-2008) of Nottingham.

The family would like to thank Carolynn Compton for the loving care and attention she provided to Irene in these last months.

Carolyn worked with Irene at Taylor Products, and they kept in touch after Irene’s retirement.

Although no service will be held, condolences are welcome and appreciated, and can be sent in the form of donations to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, on Irene’s behalf.

For a memorial video of Irene’s life, please visit https://youtu.be/wzq2mwLwZqY.

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