Irene Frances (Burke) Falk, 95, formerly of Utica, passed away Friday, August 24, 2018 at the Folts Home in Herkimer. Irene was born on September 23, 1922 in Port Leyden, New York, a daughter of Howard and Nina (Fuller) Burke. She was a graduate of Port Leyden High School and St. Joseph Infant Home and School of Child Nursing in Utica. On December 20, 1943 at Alameda Naval Air Station in California, she married Walter R. Falk, the love of her life, who was serving his country in the Navy during World War II. They shared a devoted and blessed union of 55 years until his passing on February 10, 1999. Irene was employed at St. Joseph Infant Home until her marriage. She was later employed as a teacher assistant in ARC of Oneida County Pre-School Program retiring in 1979. She was a communicant of St. Joseph & St. Patrick Church, member and past president of St. Joseph’s Mother’s Club, member and past president of the church’s Altar-Rosary Society, member and past officer of ARC of Oneida-Lewis County and its Auxiliary and a member and board member of Ladies of Charity of St. John and St. Joseph. Irene volunteered at the Parish Office and at ARC Thrift Shop. Irene was the mother of five sons, John and wife, Maryann, of Rome, Lawrence, of Utica, Bernard and wife, Barbara, of Hershey, PA, W. Gerard and wife, Debra, of Ilion, and Paul and wife, Cynthia, of Floyd; eleven grandchildren, Nathan and wife, Marcy, Kyle, Erick and wife, Rebecca, Rebecca Hall and husband, Jared, Michelle, Kathryn, Danielle, Stephen, Tammy Roberts, Tracy Jones and Todd Winterton; and six great grandchildren, Aiden, Harper, Paige, Nora, William and Nicholas. She also leaves many nieces, nephews and Godchildren, who were so attentive to her and she “loved them all”. Irene was predeceased by two daughters at birth, Joan Elizabeth and Kathleen Marie and her brother, Raymond Burke in March 2009. Mrs. Falk’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at 1:00 at St. Joseph & St. Patrick Church. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours at the Heintz Funeral Home, 1517 Whitesboro St., Utica are Wednesday morning from 11:00 to 12:30. Those so wishing may make donations to St. Joseph & St. Patrick Church or the ARC of Oneida-Lewis County in Irene’s memory.