Irene Sabina (Szpakowski) Salois

Irene Sabina Salois, beloved mother of five children, passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, May 22, 2026, at her daughter Barbara’s home in Waynesville, MO. Born on August 20, 1926, Irene passed away at ninety-nine years old. Ninety-nine years of strength, stubbornness, humor and a life lived fully on her own terms. The matriarch of her extensive family, her passing marks the end of an era, opening the door to a new one. Her desire to bring out the best in others continued to her last day on this side of eternity.

A life-long resident of Blackstone, MA., Irene was the daughter of Konstanty and Josephine Szpakowski, founders of the Blackstone Potato Chip Company. Irene and her late husband Edgar R, Salois raised  five beautiful children, and is survived by Michele Scherck of Cary, NC, Lorraine Salois-Deane of Durham, NC, Barbara Hilliard of Waynesville, MO, and Stephen Salois of Blackstone, MA. Her youngest son, James Salois, preceded her into eternity on May 22, 2006. Irene has one surviving sister, Phyllis Fleming of Andover, MA. Also many beloved nieces and nephews who enriched her life. Irene enjoyed many adventures with her eighteen grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren and one great great grandson. What a Wonderful Life! Irene has left us to join her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven and shall most certainly be missed, but never forgotten by all who knew her. Rest in peace, Dear Irene.

Relatives and Friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, (June 16, 2026) at 11:00 AM in Divine Mercy Parish, 48 St. Paul St. Blackstone, MA. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Blackstone, MA.

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