Irene Frances Sanders was born the second youngest of five children on October 3rd, 1952, in Spanish Harlem, NY. She went to the “Upper Roooom” on August 21, 2024, now joining her parents, husband, and older siblings.

She leaves behind aunt Denise, sister Elizabeth, children Sharon, Kenisha (Aka Renee) Adrianne, and Jamaine. Her grandchildren Jhanee, William, D’Artagnan, Tatyana, Jasmine, Malachi, Desiree, Khalil, Brandy, Sarabi, James, Hope, David, and a host of nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, honorary grandchildren, God children, God kids, cousins, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law.

In 2017, she was diagnosed with cancer for the second time and through God and many prayers, after a long and difficult battle, she defeated “cancer” once again! Unfortunately, this battle left her with a few health issues. She attended Fresenius Kidney Care in Whitehall PA, where she made more friends as she continued her health battle at this time with kidney disease.

In 1972 after having her first 2 children Irene married her husband Rogers Sanders Jr., soon after they had two more children. Even separated they continued to raise their family as one. Irene had a great passion for caring for children. She graduated from Touro College with a bachelor’s degree in childcare. She worked as a childcare provider at Washington Daycare Center. In the following years she continued caring for children through home daycare, while helping to raise her grandchildren and many children in the neighborhood.

Although she was born and raised in Washington Projects, Taft projects became her home in her adult years. In 1991, Irene was diagnosed with cancer for the first time but defeated it and continued a regular life. In 2007, she moved to Allentown PA, making a new home for herself in Gross Towers. There she made many new friends, like Ms. Brenda and Ms. Sandy while continuing to raise her great grandchildren.

In June 2024, cancer came back to claim her. She fought as hard as she could but in August the fight would come to an end, after spending her final days being cared for by close family. She passed away in Allentown PA, at Lehigh Valley Hospice.

Irene was a loving Sister, Niece, Aunt, Cousin, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Friend. She will be loved and missed by many.