Worcester – Irene M. Adamaitis, 76, of Worcester died peacefully at home May 15, 2025.
She leaves two sisters, Joan A. Agerholm and her husband John of Reston, Virginia; as well as Dr. Carolyn M. Martin, her husband Steve, and their children Christina and Jonathan of Plano, Texas. She also leaves her cousins Dianne Paluses of North Oxford, MA and Robert Paluses and his wife Martha of Millbury, MA.
Irene spent her career in education, teaching at Nelson Place and Woodland St. Schools, and serving as principal of Chandler Elementary School.
She was respected and admired by her teaching colleagues and pupils alike. On more than one occasion, she astonished her native Spanish speaking pupils who assumed that she only knew English - until she addressed them in their language. In fact, in addition to Spanish, she also spoke Lithuanian.
Proud of her Lithuanian heritage, she was a long-time member of the Knights of Lithuania Council 116, holding various offices within the cultural and social organization supported by people of Lithuanian ancestry and friends of Lithuania. As a teenager, Irene competed in marching band competitions, demonstrating impressive baton-twirling skills as a member of the Lithuanian War Veterans Drum and Bugle Corps.
A lifelong avid reader, she enjoyed participating in lively debates with members of her book club, in addition to supporting the wider community as a Friend of the Worcester Public Library, according to her good friend, Jean Navin.
Calling hours will be held from 4-6 pm Thursday, May 22, 2025 at Dirsa-Morin Funeral Home, 298 Grafton Street. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 am Friday, May 23, 2025, at St. Andrew’s Mission, 5 Spaulding Street, followed by burial in St. John’s Cemetery, 260 Cambridge St.