Irene S. Alexander

Irene S. Alexander, 96, daughter of George and Anna Scheftic, passed peacefully into God’s loving embrace on August 10. A graduate of Onondaga Valley Academy and the Central City Business Institute in Syracuse, NY, Irene was married to Lee R. Alexander of Cortland for 65 years. They lived in Cortland, Tully, on their dairy farm in Dryden, NY, and in West Brandywine, PA. Irene loved dancing, sewing, crafting, playing cards, and golfing. She was a full participant in the Dryden community; Holy Cross Church, school events, and as a 4-H club leader. She and Lee had fun volunteering at the Dryden Lake Golf course. She participated with the charitable group Our Brothers’ Keepers.

Irene was predeceased by her husband, Lee R. Alexander; her sister, Catherine Daley Talley (Richard) (Monroe); and her brothers and sisters-in-law, Paul (Anna May) and George (Roselle) Scheftic. Also predeceased by in-laws, Charles and Margery Alexander, and Stuart Alexander. She is survived by her brother, Charles Scheftic, and his wife Jean; sisters-in-law Edith Alexander and Carol Scheftic; her daughters, Sally Acomb (Timothy) of Canandaigua, NY, and Mary Silsbe (Robert) of Downingtown, PA; her sons, Donald (Kathy) of Alto, MI, Richard and his partner Michael LaFosse of MA. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bryan Acomb (Tara), Mark Acomb (Sheena Templeton), Jaime Alexander (Bradley Schneider), and Lauren Alexander. Irene leaves behind her beloved great-grandchildren, Maxwell and Isabell Schneider, August Acomb, Emma and Stella Hutson, and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at Holy Cross Church, 375 George Road, Freeville, NY 13068. Receiving hours will be from 9:30 a.m to 11:00 a.m prior to the Mass. Lunch will immediately follow Mass. Following lunch, family and friends who wish to attend, are invited to join the family at Cortland Rural Cemetery, 110 Tompkins Street, Cortland, NY 13045, for the interment.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Neptune Hose Co. #1 of Dryden, Inc. Fire Department or Holy Cross Church, Freeville, NY.