Born Dec. 23, 1935
Montreal, Canada
Died Feb. 22, 2024
Hinesburg, Vermont
Details of services
A Memorial Mass and celebration will be planned for late Spring. Donations in her memory may be made to the Ukrainian Catholic University Foundation (Chicago,IL) and the Vermont Forest Cemetery (Roxbury,VT).
Irena Holubowsky Case swooped away from this world hand-in-hand with the Angel Gabriel on February 22, 2024. She was born December 23rd, 1935 in Montreal, Canada to Ukrainian immigrants Michael and Matrona (Margaret) Holubowsky. For 88 years she loved us all, steadfast in her Ukrainian identity, joyous in her faith in God, endlessly finding pathways to nourish body, earth and soul. Big sister to siblings Paul,Peter, Maria and Joseph she took on responsibility for them seriously and with humor. Her parents moved the family to Ontario’s Niagara region when she was a young girl and Irena grew up surrounded by fruit orchards and encouragement to work hard to make her dreams come true. She graduated High School as Valedictorian and went on to graduate from Loretto College in Toronto. In 1960 she married James G. Case of Marcellus, NY. They purchased an 1800’s farmhouse and property in Hinesburg, VT where Irena continued to put down roots for the next 60+ years. Asked to describe her occupation she would say – “I’m a lifelong learner”. Her endless passions included raising a healthy family, hiking (green mtn club, adirondack peaks) , gardening (burlington farmers market, embracing the no dig/lasagna method), vitamins, healthy foods (say no to UPFs!) , essential oils, stewardship of the land, traveling (South America, Ukraine and Europe), singing , reading everything: gardening books, self-healing instruction, her beloved Lord of the Rings even the Diary of a Wimpy kids series, learning languages(5 of them!) , adventures with grand-kids (overnight car camping in the desert, Grand Manan island, conservation camp,goats!) ,writing poetry, making friends with people and animals wherever she went – all predicated on spreading kindness and acceptance. On February 25th family and friends gathered for a beautiful Ukranian Panachyda and “green” burial near her garden. Her wish was for her body to go back to the earth as simply as possible and to “make it an education” for others. Predeceased by husband James Case and son Jaroslav Case, Irena leaves daughters Ocsanna Dellgadillo (Jose Delgadillo) of League City, Texas and Catherine Case (James Metz) of Hinesburg, Vermont, 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
