Irene Mary Wayne, a loving wife, mother and grandmother and active volunteer, was born to eternal life on Tuesday, December 22, 2015. She was 89.

Born and raised in Smiths Creek, Mich., Irene Czostkowski graduated from Marysville High School as class valedictorian. She went on to work at Chrysler as a teletypist. Irene met her husband of 63 years, Edmund (Ed) Wayne, at a Valentine's Day dance in Hamtramck. After courting long distance by way of letters and weekend visits, they married in October of that year and moved to Hamtramck. Irene then worked for General Motors, and later Ford, before beginning a career as a devoted homemaker and mother.

Irene and Ed raised four children in Dearborn, Marilyn Wayne (Jim Guite), Cynthia Radcliffe (Walt Radcliffe), Ed Wayne, Jr. and Janet Cook (Rob Cook). As the children grew up, Irene became involved in their activities. She volunteered as homeroom mother, in Girl Scouts as the troop cookie chairman and in Cub Scouts. Irene and Ed were founding members of their parish church, St. Martha Catholic Church, and she worked on elections for the Dearborn City Clerk for more than 30 years. She was a member of the Ford Wives Club.

When the children went off to college, Irene committed herself to volunteering — in the St. Martha Altar Society, in other church functions, such as the rummage sale and Cancer Pad Sewing Group, and for Dearborn's Senior Services. One of her favorite activities was working as a volunteer usher with her husband at the Fox Theatre, Fisher Theatre and Ford Community & Performing Arts Center. Irene's example instilled the value of volunteering in her children and grandchildren. In 2001, she was honored as Volunteer of the Year by the mayor of Dearborn.

In addition to volunteering, Irene loved to travel. As a single woman she struck out on adventures, including a cruise to Niagara Falls. This continued through her marriage when she and Ed took road trips with the children all over the country, and later she continued to explore new locales with her husband or adult children.

Irene's Polish heritage was very important to her. She passed down Polish traditions to her children and grandchildren, Jacqueline WayneGuite (Travis Haughton) and Bob Cook, such as making gołumbki and celebrating Wigilia on Christmas Eve. Irene was also a talented pianist and would play the Kolendy (Polish Christmas carols) for the family during the Christmas season.

In her later years, Irene became more physically active, often riding her bicycle through the neighborhood and participating in a senior fitness class. She enjoyed the opportunities for exercise and making new friends.

Irene was a faithful servant of God all her life. When her husband, Ed, passed away in August 2014, her faith never wavered.

A visitation will take place on Sunday, December 27, 2015, from 12-8 p.m. at Howe-Peterson Funeral Home, 22546 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, Mich. A rosary will be said for Irene at 4 p.m., and family and friends will be invited to share memories of her afterward.

A Mass of Resurrection will take place on Monday, December 28, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Kateri Catholic Church, 16101 Rotunda Dr., Dearborn, Mich. Preceding the Mass, Irene will lay in state at 9 a.m. Guests are asked to please park behind the church. A luncheon will follow the service in the church hall, and, after, family and friends will lay Irene to rest next to her husband, Edmund, at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 17100 Van Dyke Ave., Detroit, Mich.