Irene Guglielmina
February 12, 1935 - March 18, 2023
Ferndale, California

Saturday, March 18, 2023, after a brief illness, Irene Guglielmina, loving wife and mother of two children, passed away peacefully at the age of 88. Irene was born in Ferndale on February 12, 1935, to Ida and Charlie Katri. She was one of four children and grew up in Grizzly Bluff on Lawson Lane. Prior to Grizzly Bluff, the family first settled in Camp Weott, then Loleta.

Ida, while pregnant with Irene, was working in the Ferndale Creamery, and then went into labor. On that day, rains were coming down so heavy that streets began to flood. They couldn’t get to the hospital fast enough, so Irene was born in a home in Ferndale. Irene’s birth certificate read “delayed” because her exact time could not be recorded because of her unique entrance into the world! And her uniqueness carried on through her life. Irene was a strong and amazing woman. She was loved by so many.

Irene shared her birthday with her favorite president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln and was always very proud of that!! So much in fact, that there is a shrine to ole Abraham in her home to this day.

Irene graduated from Ferndale Union High on June 5, 1953. During her Senior year she met a young country cow tester, AKA, “the love of her life, Herb Guglielmina” and married within months on August 9, 1953. Irene and her late husband, Herb, were married for 61 years.

Irene’s happy place was with her family. She helped her husband, Herb, on the ranch, and took care of their home and two children, Glen and Patti.

Irene was in the Ferndale Garden Club for over 30 years. She was President and Chairman of the Fair Booth for the Garden Club many times. She volunteered at the Ferndale Museum for many years, assisted in election voting at the fairgrounds, and was a life-long parishioner at the Assumption Catholic church. Irene and her sister, Josie, would take long walks and were credited and recognized in the town gazette for picking up debris to have cleaner streets! In between all these favorites, she also made flower arrangements on special occasions for family and friends.

Irene always surrounded herself with family and friends. They would gather on a regular basis to host one another’s birthday celebrations, with good food, sparkling wine, and good cheer. She loved to play cards and board games. Irene, the mom, was always sure to remember birthdays. A birthday card was always in the mailbox on if not a day or two early. Her handwritten notes were priceless and wonderful because she carried on a lost tradition that should never be forgotten.

Irene is survived by her two children, Glen (Tami) and Patti (Terry), her three grandchildren, Vincent, Anthony, and Brook, her three step-grandchildren, Francesca, Gianna and Isabella, her sister Josie, brother, Don (Sandy), sisters-in-law, Esther and Mary, brother-in-law, Len (Janice), numerous nieces, nephews, and many extended family members.

Irene will always be remembered for her love of family, her kindness, bubbly personality, and her amazing memory that was sure to enlighten us with Ferndale history and the community members through the years. We could always count on Irene to connect the dots from one person to the other. We will miss you. Thank you for everything you did for us. We love you.

There will be a funeral Mass on Saturday, April 29, at 11 a.m. A reception will immediately follow in the parish hall to celebrate Irene’s life. Everyone is welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Ferndale Museum.

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