Irene Lallas

06/05/1931-05/18/2011
Irene H. Lallas passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at home on May 18, 2011. On June 5, 1931, she was born to Nicholas and Magdalene Hohlios in Ogden, Utah where she spent the first part of her life with her family as an active community member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Salt Lake City. Irene attended Weber High School in Ogden, Utah where she discovered a special talent for singing and her beautiful voice.  She sang in the choir at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, performed at many community weddings, and continued to pursue her love of singing in high school.  After several successful lead performances in musicals and operettas, she was awarded a music scholarship to attend Weber State College.  Early in her professional career at Hill Air Force Base, she met John Lallas of Bellingham, WA, her husband-to- be, when she was a bridesmaid and he was an usher at mutual friends’ wedding.  John and Irene were married one year later in 1958 and she subsequently moved to Bellingham to join John in his family restaurant business. Over the next 50 years, Irene raised 3 children with John, supported him in their family businesses, and thrived in the local Greek community as a member of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in the choir as well as the Philoptochos Society.  Over the last 14 years she was well loved by patrons and vendors alike at the Saturday Bellingham Farmers Market where she was famous for her homemade Greek pastries, salads, gyros, and more.  She was well known for her lively personality, generosity and boundless energy.  Her spirit and strength amazed everyone who loved her, especially during her recent battle with cancer.  She had a genuine warmth and charm that we will all dearly miss. She was preceded in death by her husband John in 2009.  She is survived by her children, Tom Lallas, Magdalen Brown, and Nick Lallas, all of Bellingham; sisters Venette Ward (Ogden, Utah) and Georgia Sentkowski (Bellingham), sister-in-law Anna Rakus (Seattle), brother-in-law George Lallas (Bellingham); sister-in law Alta Lallas (Bellingham); grandchildren John and fiancée Margo, Maria, Nicolette, Michael John, and Justin; great-grandchildren Anna, Lena and John, and over 40 nieces and nephews. Trisagion services will be held at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church on Tuesday, May 24th at 7pm.  Funeral services will be held at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church on Wednesday, May 25th at 11:00 am followed by a committal at Bayview City Cemetery and a reception back at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church.

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