Irene Ina Verrett

Irene Ina Verrett died peacefully in her home on Tuesday, November 29, 2016 from complications of Pick’s Disease, a form of dementia. She was 85 years old. Irene was born on December 5, 1930 in New London, Connecticut to her parents, Katherine and William Sefcik, who emigrated from Poland. Irene grew up in New London near the Coast Guard Academy where she met her lifelong husband, Eugene Verrett. Gene and Irene were married June 2, 1952. Together, they raised their six children. Irene was very active in the community through St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gulfport. She took in foster children and aided families throughout the community through her work in Catholic Charities. Around 1996 she became stricken with Pick’s Disease. At that time, she began frequenting many of the area restaurants, often stopping to speak to people and to dance the Macarena. The family is grateful to the Gulf Coast community that accepted her in her illness. The disease, while changing her personality, never changed her spirit during her 20 year battle with the illness. She kept her love for people and her love for life. She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Katherine Sefcik, her husband, Eugene Verrett and her sister, Wanda Blaisdell. She is survived by her six children: David (Linda) Verrett, Denise (Don) Keyser, Stephen (Carolyn) Verrett, Andrew (Nancy) Verrett, Peter (Glenda) Verrett, and Julie(Joseph) Alphonso. She also leaves behind 8 grandchildren: James Verrett, Marisa Verrett, Angela Verrett, Audrey Verrett, Aaron (Kyndel) Verrett, Michaela Verrett, Kaitlyn McCaughan, Emily Verrett and Rebekah Alphonso and two great grandchildren: Nathaniel Romano and Jonathan Verrett. Over the years of her illness she has been cared for by several ladies, most notably, Zenovia (Zee) Johnson and Tempie Tyler who were with her to the end. The family owes a huge debt of gratitude to these ladies. Because of their faithful, dedicated care and love, Irene was able to spend the remainder of life in her own home. The family would also like to thank Jane Tipton whose care in the beginning of their mom’s illness helped show them how to take care of their mother in her home. A service will be held at the Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home 15452 O’Neal Rd in Gulfport on Monday, December 5, 2016 at 5:00 pm. There will be visitation with a service following. Interment will be Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 1:30 at Biloxi National Cemetery. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com