Marilyn Jean Ira

Marilyn Jean Ira, 85, passed away on Sunday, January 24, 2021. Born in Detroit, Michigan on August 29th, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Aldea Demers Huffman of Valleyfield, Quebec and late Harold Huffman of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Marilyn was a graduate of Catholic Central High School and St. Peter’s Nursing School. While at St. Peter’s, she met her husband of 63 years, Felix S. Ira Jr. together raising their 6 children. A devout Catholic and matriarch, Marilyn will forever be remembered as the backbone of her family. Her selfless nature meant always putting family first. She built a loving, supportive home that people loved to gather in. Marilyn also had a passion for travel which brought her on adventures such as cruising the Thames and exploring Fiji. Her favorite paradise escape was her yearly trip to Hawaii, only matched, perhaps, by the fond memories of bringing her young family on summer vacations to Hampton Beach, NH. Marilyn will forever be remembered for her unrivaled apple pie, her love for Dunkin vanilla cream donuts, and for being a tried and true NY Yankees fan. Marilyn was predeceased by her brother Harold Huffman Jr. (Catherine) of Peoria, AZ. She is survived by her husband, Felix; her 6 children, David (Susan) Ira of Selkirk, Jeffrey Ira of Delmar, Stephen (Melissa) Ira of Harrison City, PA, Gregory (Lori) Ira of Albany, Joanne (Michael) Hogan of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY and Kimberly (Seamus) Higgins of Bangor, ME; as well as 17 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and 2 more on the way. Calling Hours will be at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar on Thursday, January 28th from 4 to 6 pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Pl., Delmar on Friday, January 29th at 10am. Masks and social distancing will be honored. Entombment will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. Those wishing to remember Marilyn may make a donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.