Irene E. Wander

Irene E. Wander, age 98, of Boca Raton, FL, formerly of White Oak, PA, died peacefully on Saturday, July 6, 2024. She was born in Pittsburgh, PA on December 2, 1925 and was the daughter of the late Simon and Rachel Finkelstein Rudick. For 72 years, Irene was married to the late Harvey Wander. Soon after their marriage, they moved to McKeesport where they raised their two children.

Irene is survived by her children, Elyse Wander (Judy Retchin) of Boca Raton, FL; Jeffrey J. Wander (Lisa Pfund) of Cuyutlán, Mexico; grandchildren, Joshua Wander (Amy); Meghan Wander; Layne Bruce; and great-grandchildren, Zoë, Elliott, Calina, Shawn, Scarlett and Brooks.

In addition to her parents and husband, Irene was preceded in death by her siblings, Eli Rudick and Minnie Adler.

Her strong connection to Judaism gave Irene deep strength. She served as president of the McKeesport chapters of B’nai B’rith Women and Hadassah; president of her Temple’s sisterhood; and president of Temple B’nai Israel. After raising her family, Irene embarked on a 30-year career with the PA State Lottery. She retired as manager of the entire Pittsburgh Region.

No one can dispute Irene’s culinary skill. She was a magician in the kitchen. She also was courageous, smart, feisty, caring and tenacious.

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at Temple B'nai Israel Cemetery, 731 Center Street, Versailles, PA 15132, at 10:00 a.m. Officiating will be Rabbi Howie Stein. Arrangements by Strifflers of White Oak Cremation and Mortuary Services, Inc., 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412-678-6177).

To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.strifflerfuneralhomes.com