Jane D. Irwin

Jane D. Irwin, 87, of Torrance, California passed away on February 4, 2023, after a brief illness. She was born on October 28, 1935. She was the only child of Finley and Violet Faust. Jane’s mother passed away when Jane was a young teen and she was raised the remainder of her youth by her father.

Jane married and had two children (Laura and David). Her first marriage ended and she went on to be a single mother caring for two very young children. She worked to support them as a telephone operator. The early years were tough. She’d push her two young children (in a stroller) to a baby sitter’s house and then rode a bus to her job. This could not have been easy.

In 1966 she met and married the love of her life, a widower, Harry Lincoln Irwin. Once married she and the kids moved in with Harry and his two young boys (Michael and Gilbert).

Jane and Harry went on to have two more children (Amy and James). Together, Jane and Harry raised this blended family of six children. They were wonderful parents and the kids grew up as one big happy family. The kids still reminisce about their shared meals, sharing rooms, and the many ball games the kids participated in with their parents rooting them on. There were lots of great times in the Irwin household and wonderful meals cooked by Jane. Christmas was wonderful with six happy kids opening loads of gifts.

Jane had many loyal friends. She had close friends, from the eighth grade – Jackie Tracy and Joan Gonzales. They enjoyed many years of fun and secrets between them. Jane also had close friends Barbara Lindborg, Bonnie Dulmage and Venice Spellman. All of her friendships were long and good, a real testament to the woman Jane was.

Jane spent many years playing Bunco with her friends and they had many good times together. Jane was truly an artist and created beautiful cross-stitch throughout her life. If you ever dropped in on her you’d most likely see her in her chair working on one of her many complicated projects. Jane also was quite the knitter. She knitted the entire family and extended family Christmas stockings. They were beautiful red yarn and white angora trimmings. Jane loved the holidays and she decorated extensively for Halloween, Christmas, 4th of July, etc.

Jane was extremely bright and kept up on current events, followed all of the celebrity gossip and this made her a fun conversationalist. She was quite opinionated and also had a great sense of humor.

Jane’s love of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren was evident in all of her creations and her warm embrace. She was fun and all of the grand-kids remember how much fun they had watching B movies with her. She was a movie buff and especially enjoyed old horror films. Jane also enjoyed many plays, operas, and even had an opportunity to enjoy some travel in her life. She and Harry made a trip to Hawaii and even to Europe. Her high-light was a drink she’d had in Hawaii (a chi-chi) and although she was basically a teetotaler, that drink left an impression on her and she recommended it to anyone that traveled to the islands.

Jane was preceded in death by her beloved Harry. Jane’s children are as follows in birth order: Michael (Sue) Irwin of Missouri, Laura (Don) Eisenacher of Arizona, Gilbert (Jill) Irwin of Arizona, David (Merry) Holland of Washington, Amy Irwin of California, James (Deanna). Grandkids are Blair Holland, Brent Holland, Bridget Holland, Mikey Irwin, Oliver Irwin, and Amanda Irwin. Great grandchildren are: Van Holland, Frances Holland, Hazel Holland, Rose Holland, River Holland, Rainier Holland, and Adelyne Irwin.