Irene Mary Zito (née Velsko) passed away peacefully at Vassar Brothers Hospital on December 25, 2017 at the age of 73. She is survived by her life partner of 30 years, Marrijane Raptopoulos, daughter Elizabeth, sister Nancy, brother Stephan, and nieces and nephews, Karl, Suzette, Andrew, Elizabeth, Irina and Anna.

Irene was a force of nature. She was a single parent long before single parents were common, and embraced people of different cultures, colors, creeds, lifestyles and mindsets. To her, there were only two kinds of people: good people and everyone else.

Irene graduated from St. Luke's Nursing School and spent her entire career caring for others. She quickly ascended through the ranks of every job she held, and retired as director of nursing at Sarah Neuman Nursing Home in Mamaroneck, NY.

Even after she stopped working, Irene never stopped giving. She was a long-time volunteer at House of Hope and the Fishkill Food Pantry.

Irene was a quiet intellectual. She was an avid reader who delighted in the opera, the ballet, and everything about the Romanovs she could get her hands on. She completed the New York Times crossword puzzle every day before lunch.

Those of us who knew Irene will be forever changed by her passing. There will never be another quite like her. Irene will be missed and deeply loved always.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1200 Main Street, Fishkill.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Blodgett Memorial Library, 37 Broad Street, Fishkill, NY 12524 or Rombout Fire Company, 901 Main Street, Fishkill, NY 12524.

Arrangements are under the direction of McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY 12524 – (845)896-2000. For online tributes, you can visit Irene's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.