Irene Lillian Tonello

Irene Lillian Tonello
Loving Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great - Great Grandmother Irene Lillian Hicks Tonello walked into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, August 22, 2009 at North Texas Medical Center in Gainesville, Texas.
She was a woman of adventure, love of life, creativity, determined, and a woman before her time. She was born in Vivian, Louisiana on September 16, 1910 to Ellis and Lillian Goff. She was the last survivor of six children in her family. Irene spent her early childhood in Louisiana where her father worked with Shell Oil. Her family moved to Wichita Falls where she lived until 1955 and moved to Sacramento, California living there until she moved to Lake Kiowa, Texas in 2004.
She began her career during World War II and was involved not only with her work, her family, her church and her community. She was a small business owner for many years in Sacramento, retiring in 1977.
Her community and fraternal activities included serving as soloist for the Rebekah Assembly of Texas for many years; A 65 year member and Past Noble Grand of Wichita Rebekah Lodge #236; a 64 year member and Past Matron of Temple Chapter #513, Order of the Eastern Star; Past Mother Advisor of Wichita Falls Rainbow Assembly; Past President of Ladies Auxiliary Patriarch Militants; Life Member of Billy J. Dole American Legion Auxiliary; Past President of Mather Toastmistress Club; Past President of the Mather AFB NCO Wives Club; and was a Life Member of Soroptimist International of Sacramento South; Served as Grand Representative to Texas in California, Order of the Eastern Star 1981-1983.
Irene retired in 2004 after serving 21 years as an elected Senior Senator and Assemblywoman for the California Senior Legislature representing Imperial County. She was an advocate for senior issues and worked tireless to improve the life of all seniors. She was appointed by Speaker Willie L. Brown, Jr., California State Assembly, to serve on the California Commission on Aging. In her capacity as Senior Senator, she was elected Chairman of the Joint Rules Committee which she served with distinction. She was a member of the Imperial County Area Agency on Aging and was selected as a Delegate to represent California at the White House Senior Summit. She was actively involved in the California Congress of California Seniors and represented them on an exchange visit to Beijing, China. She was honored as Woman of the Year by the Imperial Valley United Citizens Club.
After moving to Lake Kiowa, Irene immediately became involved in the First Baptist Church in Gainesville and the many activities of the Lake Kiowa Women’s Club.
Although she was active in many activities, her family was the love of her life. She was a guiding light, mentor, a woman of moral character and integrity that she passed onto her children and many grandchildren. The Lord was her anchor her entire life and she passed her Christian heritage to her family.
Irene is survived by her children: Judge Bettye Tanner Shelby, Wichita Falls, TX; Johnnye Ann White and husband, Bill of Lake Kiowa, TX; Dr. Wallace B.(Dub) Hicks and wife Sherline of Kingwood, TX; Dr. Clyde E. (Buddy) Hicks and wife Carolyn of Porter, TX; and Pauline (Wally) Campbell and husband John of Goodyear, Arizona. She is also survived by 18 Grandchildren, 34 Great Grand Children, and 13 Great -Great Grandchildren, and 4 nieces and 4 nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and sisters, husband Clyde Hicks and husband Richard Tonello. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.
The funeral service will be Wednesday, August 26 at First Baptist Church, Gainesville at 11:00 AM with Dr. Mark Denison officiating. Visitation will at 10:00 AM at the church. Burial will be in Sacramento Memorial Lawn in Sacramento California on Saturday, August 29, 2009 with Temple Chapter #513 officiating. Services are under the direction of Geo J Carroll & Son Funeral Home in Gainesville, Texas.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 208 E Broadway Street, Gainesville, TX 76240 or to the California Eastern Star Foundation Scholarship Fund, 16960 Bastanchury Road, Suite E, Yorba Linda, CA 92886-1711 in her memory.
You may sign the on-line registry at www.geojcarroll.com