My History

Irene’s marriage to Thaddeus Piusienski, Sr., an attorney, and Depew Judge, lasted only eleven years, as he succumbed to Lung Cancer at a very early age. Their children were quite young at the time, Ted, Jr. 9 and Julianne 10. Ted was instrumental in Irene’s thirst for law, and for Irene delving into research for every legal challenge he threw her way, when she worked for him in his law office. He instilled in her the drive for knowledge, and always told her things are never as they seem. Do the research, form your own opinion. Great advice that she follows to this day.

Irene was involved in various service organizations. Together with her neighbor, Peggy, they recognized the need for young children to have a safe haven on their way home from school. They joined a newly formed Block Parent group, where the vetted people put up signs outside their home letting children know this was a safe place until their parents could be contacted. This program was started in the city, as a result of the increase in child abductions. She also saw the need for young girls to get involved in sports, and coached on the Depew Girls Little league. The Super Chicks won a trophy the second year she coached them.  

Irene recognized that there was a need for young girls needing a place to gather, especially since there was a boy’s club near their home, and no where for girls to gather. She was the driving force for the Tri-Community Girl’s Club being formed, and organized local parents to get involved. When the need grew, and more young girls became involved, the facility they shared became too small. The Depew/Lancaster Boys Club voted to merge the club, and share their facility, and that’s how the Depew Boys and Girls Club expanded.

She was involved in politics, and served as a Trustee, completing the term of a retired trustee. Her run for the Legislative seat in District 8, gave her some insight into politics, and though she didn’t win her seat, she became involved in supporting candidates whose philosophy’s mirrored hers. She was also appointed to the Town of Lancaster Assessment review board where she served for three years.

As a single parent her time became limited, and with working full time, and raising her two children she had to forego any future ambitions she had and focused on her family.

Irene met her second husband, George Colvin, through mutual friends. After knowing each other three years, Irene accepted George’s third (and as he called it, final) proposal. They were married for twenty seven wonderful years. They were the proud owners of their own business, Franklin’s Printing, which was George’s dream. The driving force for that business was when George’s company downsized after working with them thirty years. Sadly, George to succumbed to cancer.

Five years after George passed away, Irene was re-introduced to her present husband, Lee, again by mutual friends. They were both widowed at the time, with grown children. They found out opposites do attract.

The holiday they both loved the most was Christmas. From Irene’s perspective, as ingrained by her mother before her, Christmas Eve was the time for family gathering. It was their family reunion. It was the family “law” that no matter who you were married to, Christmas Eve was our family time. Irene and her sister Mary, together with their husbands and children, always honored “Babcia” Hannia’s request. After their mother passed away, Irene carried on the family tradition of Christmas Eve.

Over the years Irene’s sanctuary was her writing. There she could put her thoughts on paper. Ms. Incardona, one of her high school teachers, had submitted one of her poems to the Pride of South Park. Irene wasn’t aware of it until after it was published. She encouraged Irene to keep writing, as she was privy to other poems and stories Irene had written.

Irene’s good friend Betty Cavalieri, invited her to join the ZONTA organization in 1987. Immediately Irene fit right in, as the group was founded to support women and children, against violence. This international group also worked with women, and taught them how to become self-sufficient. Together with her good friend Liz Cash, they organized the local ZONTA Clubs to host golf tournaments with the proceeds going to Roswell, to defray the costs for women fighting breast cancer. Irene was a member for over ten years until she and her husband moved to Florida. She maintains a close relationship with some of her former ZONTA sisters.

Upon their return from Florida, George once again became a member of the Lancaster Lion’s Club, and was sponsored by their good friend Mary Arena, and Irene was sponsored by her good friend, Peter Arena. Irene thoroughly embraced the Lions Club because every cent that the Lions Club raised in their community went back to the community. They provided countless food baskets at Christmas time over the years, they provided eye glasses, eye testing, hearing aides, paid off some medical bills, and assisted their neighbors where ever they could, once the needs were addressed. The Lions Club was to be the “Knights of the Blind” for Helen Keller, but over the years it grew to be so much more. This wonderful organization was the catalyst for Irene’ first published book, “The Lion Pride.”

It wasn’t until Irene retired, the children grown, and after George passed away, that Irene once again, started to put her thoughts on paper. All of Irene’s books are positive messages, supporting friends, and neighbors. The can do attitude, the pride of country, is the common theme throughout her books.