Irene Mary (Zbizek) Pastuszka, age 88.

Lovingwife of Thadeus (d. 2004) for 49 years.Devoted mother of Cynthia (Ron) Blaha, Karen (William) Gajewski, Diane Dudek, Sandra (Alexander) Sebastian and Mary Ellen (Joe) Jelsomeno. Beloved Babci (grandmother) of Michael (Katrina), An-drew (Kathleen), Thadeus and Nicholas Blaha; Genevieve (Ted) McDonald and Peter (Sarah) Gajewski; Laura and Rachel Dudek; Christopher (Stephanie), Alex (Carolyn), Sam and John Paul Sebastian; and Joseph, Emily (Nolan) Gage, Vincent, Lucia and Rocco Jelsomeno. Dear Pra-Babci (great grandmother) of Iliana, Leya, Kai, Augie and Miles Blaha; Sophia Blaha; Bennett and Baby Boy McDonald; Emma, Joseph and Mi-cah Sebastian; and Baby Gage.Dear sister of Helen Lapeer and aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Irene was a faithful woman who prayed ceaselessly for her family and friends.She spearheaded the weekly Eucharistic Adoration at her parish, St. Sebastian (now St. Maria Goretti) in Dearborn Heights, until just a few weeks before she passed away.She was a decades-long member of the St. Anne's Altar Society in her parish and a member of the LOTA, Ladies of the Assembly, a women's organization associated with the Knights of Columbus.For many years, Irene ministered to grieving families by praying the Rosary at funeral homes in her community. She attended daily Mass throughout her adult life and she continuously made the nine First Fridays and five First Saturdays as asked by the Blessed Mother when she appeared in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917.She was a founding member and on the board of directors of the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima in Detroit (now the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Riverview).

The Polish heritage of Irene was extremely important to her and she showed this by directing the Polish Roman Catholic Union ofAmerican Syrena Dance Ensemble in the 1970's and teaching her children and grandchildren many Polish customs and how to prepare delicious Polish foods.Easter and Christmas were always celebrated according to her Polish traditions and all her grandchildren especially loved the soups she made!

The love and devotion Irene showed every day of her life is a testament to her deep faith in and love for God.She will be greatly missed by her family, who will carry on her traditions.

Donations will be used for Gregorian Masses for Irene's soul and for the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Riverview, Michigan.