Kathleen E. Irwin

Kathleen Edith Irwin, 102, passed away May 25, 2017 at Rockwood Retirement Community in Spokane. There will be a Celebration of Life on June 8 at 2:30 p.m. at Rockwood's Event Center, 2903 E. 25th Ave. in Spokane. Please wear pink or purple.

Kathleen was born Jan. 4, 1915 to Walter and Susie (Mohr) Bailey. She grew up in Spokane and Seattle, graduating from Roosevelt High School. She went on to receive her elementary education degree from the University of Idaho.

Kathleen taught first grade in Spokane's Orchard Center School for three years before marrying Claude K. Irwin on June 15, 1940. They lived in Pullman for 52 years before moving to Rockwood Manor in 1993. Claude passed away in 2005 at age 93.

Survivors include one daughter, Kay Rowley (Brad Blegen) of Spokane; one son, Claude Irwin Jr.; three granddaughters: Kari Rowley Magill (Drew Magill), Bellevue, Wash.; Kelly Rowley Richardson (Dan Richardson), Issaquah, Wash.; Brandee Irwin Pierce, Los Angeles, Calif.; two grandsons: Scott Irwin (Bobby Miller), Montlake Terrace, Wash.; Cliff Irwin (Lindsay Irwin), Missoula, Mont.; three great-grandsons: Jake and Nicholas Magill, Bellevue, Wash. and Liam Irwin, Montlake Terrace, Wash, and two great-granddaughters Brynn and Alison Irwin, Missoula, Mont.; and a special gentleman friend, Robert W. Benson, also of Rockwood. Kathleen also has siblings and a child who reside in Cheney.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Claude and Kathleen Irwin WSU Scholarship for law students, the Kathleen Irwin/Kay Rowley Mother/Daughter Scholarship at the University of Idaho for education students, or Rockwood South Foundation of Spokane.

Kathleen loved everyone. The family wants to thank all her wonderful, special and loving friends, Rockwood employees and caregivers in assisted living and the Atrium at Rockwood South. Special thanks also to Hospice of Spokane for their assistance and care.