Gayle F. (Villaras) Irish

Gayle (Villaras) Irish, 97, passed away peacefully at Anna Jaques Hospital on March 5, 2023.  She was born in Newburyport on March 29, 1925 to the late Nicklys and Penelope Villaras.  She raised three boys and lived in Portsmouth, NH, Buffalo, NY, St. Petersburg, FL, and settled in Newburyport until her passing.  She loved to travel to visit her sons in San Francisco, CA, Lake Tahoe, CA and visited all over Northern California, San Diego, CA, and Oahu, Hawaii.

Gayle graduated from Newburyport High School in 1943.  She worked as a Social Worker in Amesbury for many years.  She was a member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.  Gayle was a life-long dancer and loved to dance where ever the Big Band music was playing.  She danced both professionally and for pleasure.

Gayle is survived by her four boys, Robert Irish Jr., of Boise, Idaho, Michael Alexander of San Francisco, CA, Steve Alexander and his long time partner Alba Kastilahn of Vacaville, CA, and Rick Alexander of Boston, MA.  She is also survived by her sister Connie Mathieu and Tep Sawyer, two grandsons and a granddaughter, and seven great grandchildren.

Private funeral services were held at Twomey, LeBlanc, and Conte Funeral Home with a private burial for the immediate family and some, very close to mom’s heart, long time friends, at Oak Hill Cemetery in Newburyport.  A quote from Gayle’s sons, “Mother is another name for love”

Contributions may be made in Gayle’s name to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 7 Harris Street, Newburyport, MA.

To offer online condolences please visit www.tlcfuneralhome.com

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