Irene Susan DiPaul (nee DelCasale)

Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.  –Therese of Lisieux

85 years young of 825 Milmar Road Newtown Square, PA Irene passed away Friday evening May 2, 2025 at Bryn Mawr Hospital peacefully and with family by her side.

She was bright and full of life, with a quick wit, razor sharp memory and a not just slight hint of sarcasm.  She was a caring wife, a devoted sister and aunt, a wonderful mom, and a great teacher and formidable school administrator, as well as a long time devotee of St Therese of Lisieux – the “Little Flower of Jesus in the garden of God” — in her deep and abiding Catholic faith.

Irene determined to follow the “Little Flower’s” way in her life as best she knew how; one way in particular was to look for a Rose when important decisions or issues of faith were at hand and to trust that when that rose appeared, she knew she was on the correct path.

She received her bachelor’s in chemistry with a minor in mathematics from Immaculata University in 1961 and received her Masters in Secondary School Administration from Villanova University in 1987.  She began her teaching career at Holy Child Academy in 1961 and then at Springfield High School and in 1964, she had time to fall in love and marry John, her husband of 61 years in 1964 and bring two sons into the world, Christopher in 1966 and David in 1968.

She returned to teaching at Cardinal O’Hara High School in 1981 and became a feared Assistant Disciplinarian in 1984. Many will know her grace was large and her tolerance for nonsense was short in this role. As a result of her care and professionalism in the classroom over decades of service, many of her former students became educators and carry on her legacy to this day.

Full of life and a love for playing cards and going out to lunch or dinner, or down the shore for a long weekend to catch up with old friends, colleagues, classmates and family, or to the theater or the ballpark, she played contract Bridge with her friends every week for decades and continued to catch shows in Philadelphia and the surrounding theaters as well as Phillies games at local and more distant parks until she was no longer able.

The service for Irene will be held Monday May 12, 2025 at St John Neuman Parish, 380 Highland Ln, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010. The viewing will be from 10 -11:15 a.m. all in mass and mass will begin at 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers we ask that when you see a rose in bloom, you take a moment to think of Irene and the blessing her life was to so many people and to pay those feelings forward to others in need of kindness.

If you would you make a monetary donation in Irene’s memory to honor her educational legacy, Cardinal O’Hara High School would gladly accept tributes in her honor. Please copy this link and paste into your browser.

https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=4898e1

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Irene Susan DiPaul (nee DelCasale), please visit our Tribute Store.