May 31, 2005 > Hometown Girl Celebrates '90'

On the 26th day of the month in 1915, flowers and spring weather was not the only thing celebrated in the "merry month of May." Last week, folks at Carleton Plaza were treated to the sounds of the Richie Herman Trio (with nephew Ken Noia crooning at the microphone) and goodies as friends and family celebrated Irene Leeper's 90th birthday. A hometown girl, Irene and sister Della grew up in the Alvarado area near Coyote Hills where their father, Joe Hendricks, farmed at what is now known as Patterson Ranch. She remained in Washington Township for much of her working career, primarily in real estate, working with Reyes Realty in Hayward and Bayhill Realty in Fremont.

Following retirement years in Sonora, California with her late husband Tom, Irene has now come home to the Tri-Cities. Among the large gathering of well-wishers were Irene's sister, Della; nephew Ken Noia and his wife Jeannie; and niece Kathy Hesser and her husband Gary. Irene and her dog Mack, "Director of Homeland Security" are residents of Carleton Plaza of Fremont.