- Date Of Birth: November 30, 1928
- Date Of Death: August 4, 2021
- State: Michigan
Irene Marie Bianco, age 92 of Kalamazoo, died at home under hospice care on August 4, 2021. She was born November 30, 1928, in Flanders, Belgium, the daughter of Leo and Effie (VandeWiele) VandeWalle. Irene and her family moved to the United States when she was 10 years old.
They settled in the Kalamazoo area where she attended St. Augustine’s Elementary School. Irene worked for several years at the Kalamazoo State Hospital and in later years she enjoyed working at local greenhouses. She loved working in her yard and tending to her flowers so her work at the greenhouse was a natural fit for her skills. In September of 1957, Irene married Vincent Bianco, who preceded her in death in 2009.
Her family felt loved every day by Irene. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, wife, sister, and aunt. Her family includes her children: Karen Bianco, Sandy Galloup, Laurie Barrons, James Bianco, Nancy (Daniel) Ruzick, and David Bianco; her grandchildren: Jennifer (Gerry), Courtney (Jeremy), Sarah, Sandy (Josh), Paul (Denise), Lance, Keith, Nolan, Dustin, Vincent, and Haley (Josh); her great-grandchildren: Samantha, Cody, Lexi, Kiera, Joslyn, Jocelyn, Makai, and River; her brother Gabriel VandeWalle; several nieces and nephews; and her beloved fur babies, Lady, Jazzy, Sassy, and Oliver. She was preceded in death by her husband Vincent Bianco, her son Roger VanWezema, her grandson Tyler, and her brother Gerard VandeWalle.
