Irene Mae Harnitchek

Irene Mae Harnitchek, 84, of Rydal, PA, formerly of 629 Washington Lane Abington passed away Sunday, September 10, 2017 peacefully, at Abington Hospital in the presence of her loving family. Irene was born in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, PA, on May 31, 1933; the daughter of the late Frances (Wark) and Francis Burke. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Harry Harnitchek. She is also survived by her sons VADM ret. Mark Harnitchek USN and wife Betty Putnam of Burke,VA; Craig Harnitchek and wife Mary Burke of Chestnut Hill, PA; David Harnitchek of Philadelphia, PA; and daughter Ingrid DiGregorio and husband Dr. Kenneth J. DiGregorio of Ringoes, NJ. Bean, as her six grandchildren called her is also survived by Gillian Campbell (husband Tim), CAPT Kyle Harnitchek, USA (wife Jana), Emma and Harry Harnitchek, and Alexander and Olivia DiGregorio, and Stacie Putnam, and her four great grandchildren, Parker, Sophie, Mark and April. Irene received a BS in Music from Temple University, and a MS from TCNJ. She taught instrumental, string music in the Cheltenham school district for over 20 years. She continued to play music throughout her life and enjoyed playing chamber music; both violin and viola parts. She was a lifelong learner and participated in the Barnes Foundation horticultural program for 3 years. She became a docent at Morris arboretum where she became interested in specimen trees. She kept active with water aerobics, yoga, and up until her passing was learning how to play bridge. Most of all Irene loved her kids, grand and great grandchildren. She was always interested in all the kids and what they were doing. She found beauty in everything she saw and everyone she met. She loved finding hidden gems at thrift stores and had an eye to make everything look lovely. She had a wicked sense of humor and could often find the funny in anything, passing this trait onto her children. Family will receive friends from 6 PM to 8 PM on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at the Joseph J. McGoldrick Funeral Home, 507 West Ave. in Jenkintown, PA and are also invited from 9 to 9:50 AM on Friday, September 15th at Immaculate Conception BVM Church 604 West Ave. in Jenkintown, PA. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10 AM. Luncheon will be provided at Conahan Hall below the church of Immaculate Conception BVM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army, for victims of natural disaster. Interment will be private at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.