Obituary of Irene C Westerman

Irene C Westerman, age 92, passed away on Monday, September 6, 2021 at her home.  Born April 21, 1929 in San Cristobal, Venezuela to Christian missionaries, Gustav & Tilly Bostrom, she faithfully served her Lord Jesus Christ throughout her life.  Irene met George, her husband of 66 years while she was working as a librarian for Bell Labs.  She was beloved by her husband, four children and eight grandchildren whom she adored.

Irene had a servant’s heart and easy smile and her home was open to all.  Friends knew they could stop by at any time and receive a warm welcome and home cooked meal.  In the Fall her kitchen was often filled with the delightful aroma of baked apple crisp or freshly canned peaches, always with less sugar than the recipe called for, of course.    Irene had a tremendous love of the outdoors.  She knew the names of the wild flowers, trees, and song birds and delighted in discovering them on our many outdoor hiking or camping adventures.  As she slowed down over the years she could no longer do all the things that she loved, but her quiet, gentle spirit always shined through in her beautiful, bright smile. 

Irene’s life was marked by her unwavering faith in her Lord.  She was a faithful member of Bethlehem Church for most of her life, and devoted many hours of service in the children’s ministry,  Pioneer Girls, Women’s Missionary Society, the kitchen committee, and the church library.  She spent many work weekends with her family volunteering at Camp Cherith in the Adirondacks, now Camp Cedarbrook.  She had a passion for the lost, and  nothing would bring her to  tears more than a beautiful story of a lost soul finding salvation and redemption in God’s love.

Irene is survived by her husband George; her four children- David (Edith), Janet (Jack) Navin, Ellen (Scott) Mulligan, and Doreen (Bob) Zirger; her siblings Lois Bostrom, Robert Bostrom, John Bostrom, Trudy Estler, and Joel Bostrom; and her grandchildren- Elizabeth, Peter, Thomas, and Andrew Westerman; Christine Navin; Christina and Shanna Mulligan; and Ryan Zirger.  She is predeceased by her sister Elaine Ringeisen.

A Memorial Service will be held 1:00PM at Grace Church on the Mount, Bethlehem campus, in Randolph on Saturday, October 9, 2021.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to Camp Cedarbrook in the Adirondacks, P.O. Box 462, West Sand Lake, NY 12196. Campcedarbrook.org/give. ; All arrangements by Tuttle Funeral Home, Randolph