Irene Howe Crossman Boyd, 82, of Earlville, passed away Saturday, October 14, 2017 at her home.
She was born on July 20, 1935 in Towners, Putnam County, NY, a daughter of Roy H. and Irene Haake Crossman. She was a graduate of Delaware Academy, Delhi, NY and attended SUNY, Delhi. On July 26, 1969, she married Edward Boyd in Poughkeepsie, NY. Irene had worked for IBM in various capacities until her marriage. She had been the secretary to the Assistant Director of Research in Yorktown, NY and was secretary to the General Manager of the IBM East Fishkill site at the time of her marriage. She retired to raise a family, but then went back to work in 1980. She operated her own business, the Speakers Edge for two years, making computer generated presentation slides. She then worked in several capacities for New York State, including the Council of the Arts in NYC, and the New York State Agency for Substance Abuse in White Plains. She also served as private secretary to Leon Botstein at Bard College. She was very active in the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of New York, working to protect abused women. Upon Ed’s retirement, she moved to Earlville and started a new career at the SUNY Upstate Hospital in Syracuse, from which she retired. She then started a career in volunteer work for the Office for the Aging in Madison County, St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Hamilton, NY, the Food Cupboard in Hamilton and the Worn Again shop in Hamilton. She was the chairperson for the Worn Again for several years.
She had attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY and was noted for the dinner parties she hosted. For several years, she prepared a special Christmas morning breakfast for the neighbors which was delivered to their homes. Irene was an avid gardener and made homemade jellies which her family loved. She also generously gave her jellies and homemade treats to neighbors and close friends at holidays and whenever these could add a little warmth and cheer during a difficult time in someone’s life. She was tutoring her granddaughters in the art of jelly making.
Surviving are her loving husband of 48 years, Edward; a daughter and son-in-law, Sloane and Robert Thompson of Westfield, IN; a son, Ashton Lee Boyd and Kristina Shocklay of Poolville, NY; three sisters, June Battisti, Johanna Lundius and Louise Mason; and four grandchildren.
In keeping with her wishes, there are no services or calling hours.
Interment in the Lick Creek Cemetery, Perry, MO is private.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 3 Preston St., Earlville, NY.