Visitation:
Willard OH 44890 12/30/2011 13:00:00
Service:
Willard OH 44890 12/30/2011 14:00:00
Irene Carols (Nicholas) Gaich, born December 8, 1930 in Wheeling, West Virginia and died December 25, 2011 at Akron City Hospital with her loving husband George and son Steven at her side. Irene was given her middle name Carols by her mother Edna who loved the music of the Christmas season. Going home to be reunited with her parents and brothers on Christmas day gave us all comfort. Irene was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, the Valedictorian of Wheeling Central Catholic High School; she went on to graduate with honors from Bethany College. She taught school for 44 years in the communities of Powhatan Point, Berlin Heights and Willard. She taught many subjects over the years but found her greatest satisfaction as a reading teacher in the elementary grades. She will be remembered by her students and their families for her home visits with bags of books and reading games for parents to help their children improve their reading skills. The abounding joy in her life was with her children and grandchildren. She took great delight in the antics of the grandchildren and their adventures in life. Grandma was a real trickster with her grandchildren, always getting a giggle and smile from them. Irene is preceded in death by her beloved parents, George and Edna Nicholas, brothers George Nicholas and Robert Nicholas. She is survived by her husband George who will deeply miss his wife of 57 years, daughter, Pamela (Greg) Vanhorn, sons, Dr. Gregory (Dr. Carol) Gaich and Dr. Steven (Catherine) Gaich; grandchildren, Dr. Daniel (Dr. Abigaile) Vanhorn, Joe and Kendra Vanhorn, Brooke Paddock, Caitlin and Emma Gaich, AJ and Ponch Gaich; great granddaughter, Kate Vanhorn; sister, MaryAnn Wickham; sisters-in-law, Mary Agnus Nicholas and Eleanor Nicholas; many loving nieces and nephews and special friends, Barb and Tom Wagner. At Irene’s request, there will be a funeral mass at St. Francis Xavier Church, 25 W. Perry Street, Willard, Ohio on Friday, December 30, 2011 at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Family will receive friends one hour prior to mass. Family is hosting a reception after the mass in the school hall. Please visit Secor Funeral Home online obituary and share a favorite memory of Irene. (http://www.secorfuneralhomes.com) In lieu of flowers, donations in Irene’s memory to any Catholic charity or domestic shelter would make her happy.
Condolences
George, Pam, Greg and family, we are so sorry to hear of Irene’s passing. We now live in Marblehead and just heard about it. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God give you comfort and strength.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Irene was a blessing to education and to Willard. She will be dearly missed. God bless all of you.
George and Family,
Our sincere condolences. Irene was always my favorite teacher. I never new a teacher who worked so hard for her students. She was one of the nicest people you you could ever know. I think of her often. God Bless You All.
Pat and Dave Sattig
December 31, 2011
So sorry to hear of Mrs. Gaich passing away. Will always remember sitting in junior high English watching her eat her oranges and waiting for her to throw cinnamon gummy bears out for getting the right answers. God Bless your family.
I was so sorry to learn of Irene’s passing. I have such fond memories of times spent together in meetings, grading papers, laughing and just generally enjoying ourselves. I have missed seeing her and hearing her gentle laugh.She touched so many lives and of course, brought joy to her own family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. It has been wonderful to know all of you and I hope the knowledge that Irene was loved by so many brings you comfort now. Marilyn Sands
Mr. Gaich, Greg and Family – I met Greg and Mr. Gaich in Jr. High and have many wonderful memories of your family. In High School, I helped with the wrestling program – and you and your wife would be there – even for the long, all day meets – cheering on Greg and the whole team. I remember asking Mr. Gaich where Greg got all his intelligence – and he replied “from his lovely mother, but his looks came from me.” Mrs. Gaich just laughed. May the many wonderful memories you have, comfort all in the years ahead and keep her safe in your heart.
With great sadness for your loss, Jenny
As a member of Zeta Chapter of DKG, I remember many happy times working with Irene on DKG projects. I am very sorry to hear of her passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Jan Scagnetti
George and family, we are so sorry for the loss of your beloved wife and mother. Irene was such a wonderful person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I was unfortunate not to have Mrs. Gaich as a teacher. She taught a Berlin Heights when I was a student there. She taught Latin, and she and I would discuss the benefits of Latin. I was so wrong in telling her it was a language that wasn’t worth teaching any more. I hope she got the message from Mr. Gaich that I asked him to give her a couple years ago. What a wonderful pair of teachers, my thoughts and prayers are with the family.
George we send our deepest sympathy to you as your mourn the loss of of your dear wife Irene. Irene was always such a pleasant person. We think of you and Irene who gave so much to beneift the students of the Willard Community. Know Irene will never be forgotten.
Our prayers are with the entire Gaich family during your time of loss. May you be comforted by the loving memories you have of Irene. I was fortunate to have her as a teacher and have many lasting memories. Peace to you all.
I WAS SO SORRY TO HEAR THE SAD NEWS. MRS. GAICH WAS MY FAVORITE TEACHER. I HAVE ALWAYS REMEMBERED HER THROUGHOUT THE YEARS FOR THE WAY SHE ENCOURAGED ME IN HIGH SCHOOL. MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY FOR THEIR LOSS.
George and Family,My family and I sends out our condolences at this time of grief.My mom and I remember having her as a teacher when we both attended school.She was a very sweet woman,we shared so many memories with her and she was a blessing to us all in so many ways.She will be greatly missed.
I am deeply saddend by the news of Irene’s passing. She was an amazing lady who I enjoyed spending time with. She had a kind heart. Her sense of humor always made me smile. I will miss her greatly.
George and family,We remember Irene as a gracious lady and will be sadly missed.Our condolenses to all the family, Matilda and Roger Stokes
Condlences to the Gaich Family.
I remember being in High School when Miss Nicholas came to Powhatan High School to teach Spanish. It wasn’t long after that she became Mrs. Gaich the wife of our football coach Mr. George Gaich. Great memories of both.
Cherish your memories.
John Nozica
Class of 1957
Powhatan High School
To George and family: We are so sorry to hear of Irene’s passing. May all the wonderful memories sustain you during this sad time. We know she is reading stories to all the children in heaven right now, just as she did when she was teaching. She was a beautiful lady and will be sadly missed.
Dear George and family,
I have fond memories of Irene when she roomed at our home in Powhatan when she first started teaching there. She was always was so good to me and had so much fun with our family. My mother, Betty Ferry, always held you both dear to her heart, loved your visits and cards and always spoke fondly of you two. Prayers and blessings to you all as you grieve the loss of your beloved wife and mother.
From: Jane Ferry Apel
Dear George,Greg,Pam,Steve and families,
So sorry to hear of Irene’s passing. We have so
many good memories of our families thru the years. Prayers and blessings to you all as you mourn the loss of your much loved wife and mother. The Beebes-Johanna, Brian, and Brett
Irene Nicholas taught me Spanish when she started her teaching career at Powhatan High School. I enjoyed visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Gaich at our 50th reunion. Mrs. Gaich was a lovely person and will be greatly missed by all who loved her. My sincere sympathy to all her family.
How can one mention just one memory of Irene. She was an excellent teacher and cared deeply for her students and fellow teaching staff Every year as i put decorations on my tree , I remember Irene as I place one of my favorite decorations which was a gift from her. She was definitely a help as I began my teaching career and for advice in helping my own children succeed. Heaven has a new teacher.
Prayers to you, George and to her whole family. Irene was a blessing to many.
George, please know I am feeling your grief, along with all the other friends you have here in Willard. Tell Steve how much I loved his Mother, and all the super fun times we had as we traveled to all those school track meets to watch two fine young men compete, and then laughing so hard at all their antics when we would go out to eat afterwards. Precious memories indeed. You all certainly will be in my prayers.
Nellie
George and family, You are in our thoughts and prayers. Irene was a wonderful teacher. I can remember my daughter Ashley reminding me every morning that she wouldn’t be home after school, because she was staying after school to help Mrs. Giach. Even though Ashley never had Irene as a teacher she loved helping her. Irene will be missed.
God Bless you all,
Marsha Ganni and Ashley (Ganni) Wenninger
Our prayers are with the entire Gaich family during your time of loss. May you be comforted by the loving memories you have of Irene. I have many fond memories of the friendship between the Ayres and Gaich families through the years.
So sad to hear the news about Irene. She was a fun lady and always very upbeat. The Gaich family will be in our thoughts and prayers. May God comfort and strengthen all of you during the days ahead.
Steve and family, i would like to send out my sincere condolences on the loss of your mom. May god bless you all and wrap his loving arms around you and help you through this most difficult time in your life. Hold all of the memories close to your heart. In gods love Tracey Strong (Hatton)