Irene Grewe

Irene L. Grewe (Toth) December 23, 1930… 

Irene Leona Toth, daughter of Hungarian immigrants, was part of the couple’s first generation born to US citizenship. She was born in an Old North Dayton neighborhood on Wortman Avenue. Wortman exists now in memory only. You can see where it was on old maps of Dayton where you might also find the Kossuth Colony. She attended Holy Rosary School and was baptized at Holy Rosary Church on Notre Dame Ave. She attended the Parker Cooperative High School at the corner of 1st and St. Clair streets in downtown Dayton. She graduated with the Class of 1948. The site was later occupied by the John H. Patterson Cooperative High School which has since been demolished. It only exists in memory and old photographs. She married in 1951 to Douglas Edward Grewe and began her own family. After sending her children out in the world, Irene worked at Miami Valley Hospital for over fifteen years and retired from the Admitting Department in June of 1996.

 Memories do bring comfort to individuals who hold them dear. Irene L. Grewe transitioned from this life to the next on August 28, 2025 at 8:33PM while in the care of Hospice of Dayton. Now, a memory for her family. But unlike a street, a building or a photograph, a life lived with integrity, faith, love and devotion leaves memories that become ingrained and multiply. My sisters and I would like to share some of the memories we hold dear. 

Son Doug: I want to record a memory or two that I have carried for most of my 73 years. I give Mom credit for my education. Her support began early. She taught me to tie my shoes and to recite the alphabet so that I would be prepared to enter kindergarten. I remember in 1st Grade I struggled with printing and penmanship. She discovered that I was being taught as a right-handed individual. Mom made a trip to the school to enlighten my teachers that I was, in fact, left-handed. I still struggled, as all left-handed individuals seem to, with avoiding ink smears. Mom was always encouraging and supportive. Years later I expressed an interest in attending school to study architecture. One of my most memorable Christmas gifts (not the Ben-Hur Chariots), which I’ve always felt my Mom was most responsible for, was a drafting set from Sears and two large bills. It was enough to get me into my first year at UC. I am grateful for so much more. Thank you Mom! I’m proud to be your son. 

Daughter Pamela: Mom’s life was dedicated to her family and defined by her strong faith in Jesus taught by the Catholic Church. She shared that faith with her children, giving us a strong platform to build our own lives on. She enjoyed the beauty of the outdoors, walking in a garden or along a path in the woods, observing all the plants and wild life. Mom’s passing leaves a huge hole in my heart but I am grateful for the years of love, wisdom and joy she gave to me.

 Daughter Diane: As a child I don’t think I fully appreciated what Mom did for her children. As an adult I realize that all of our vacations, birthdays, Christmases and more were possible because of our Mother. She was a “stay-at-home” Mom with five children. It was due to her management, her thrift, that we had the life we did. If we needed something important she saw that we got it. For myself, it was braces to straighten my teeth. Mom was a strong woman. She often hid her disappointments from her children and sometimes appeared harsh because of that. I also have a Christmas memory. I really wanted white go-go boots and a special pair of slacks popular at the time (probably bell-bottoms). You can guess what I found under the tree. 

Son Gregory: Although our brother passed away earlier, we all agreed that if he had an opportunity he would thank our Mom for all the support she gave him following a motorcycle accident. They shared a home for over 25 years of his adult life.

 Daughter Belinda: Mom taught me a lot about cooking, especially about the recipes she learned from her Mother. Grandma’s rolled cookies with a filling of walnuts and apricot jam, formed like a bent pinkie, brushed with egg white and dusted with powdered sugar are one of the family favorites. I always enjoyed what became annual trips to the Smokies. Mom was always after my brother, Greg, who wanted to get too close to the baby black bears. I looked forward to summer picnics at LeSourdesville Lake. Mom fed us well. I don’t recall wanting for much. Mom managed the money, was frugal and made sure we were all taken care of. We had a cake on every birthday and we loved Christmas. You were the best Mother and I will miss you very much.

 Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Kalman Sr. and Mary Toth (nee Walter), brother Kalman Toth, Jr., sister Mary Roderer and brother-in-law Robert, son Gregory Sr., grandson Sean Johnson, sons-in-law Daniel Mahle, Sr. and Jack Richards.

 She is survived by her son Douglas, Jr. (Don Stephan), three daughters Pamela Richards (Jack), Diane Mahle (Steve Soward) and Belinda Wagner (Richard). Also surviving are 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

The family will greet guests from 5-7pm on Thursday, September 18 at Westbrock Funeral Home, 1712 Wayne Ave. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 am on Friday, September 19 at St. Joseph Catholic church, 411 E. 2nd St., Dayton. 

 In lieu of flowers consider making a donation in Irene’s honor to Aullwood Audubon Center, Bruckner Nature Center, Hospice of Dayton or St. Joseph Catholic Church