Irene Rosa Eva (Brandt) Larkin, 84, of Middleborough, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, in her home and surrounded by loved ones, after an unexpected cancer diagnosis at the end of December 2022. 

One of six children of Johanna and Karl Brandt, Irene was born in Berlin, Germany. As a young adult, she met her first husband, William A. Quigley of Bovevaugh, Northern Ireland, while he was stationed in Germany with the Army in 1957. Together they immigrated to the United States where they created a loving home in Dorchester, MA for their two daughters Margaret and Charlotte. Sometime after the two divorced, she met and married Paul Larkin with whom she kept companionship until her death. In the decade or so after her arrival in the States, she worked very hard to assimilate into American culture by taking classes to learn to write and speak English while also developing basic office skills, and ultimately attaining American citizenship. Over the years and until her retirement, she worked her way up to management status in the insurance industry and was employed by companies like Keystone and Travelers. Her story is a real-life illustration of the American Dream. 

Irene enjoyed traveling, entertaining guests, listening to a wide variety of musical genres, and she had an artistic eye for interior design. What she will be remembered for most, though, will certainly be the love she had for her family and friends. The many vacations with friends and family, special celebrations and impromptu visits with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were what she truly lived for - nothing made her happier than time spent with the people she cared about. 

Irene is survived by her daughter, Charlotte J. Larrivee; her grandchildren, Rachel Keller, Brandon Larrivee and his wife, Larissa, Krista Keller, and Kyle Larrivee and his wife, Brittany; and her siblings, Renate Royek and Karl-Heinz Brandt. Also survived by seven much-loved great-grandchildren, Kevin, Ethan, Margaret, KJ, Wesley, Patrick and Freya; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by her daughter, Margaret E. Quigley-Keller; her parents, Johanna and Karl Brandt; and siblings, Christa, Bridgette and Harold.  

Irene's family welcomes all friends and family to the visiting hours at the Ashley Funeral Home, 35 Oak Street, Middleborough, on Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. 

Immediately following the visiting hours, there will be a Celebration of Life gathering at the community center at Oak Point, 200 Oak Point Drive, Middleborough.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Irene's name to Cranberry Hospice, 36 Cordage Park Circle, Plymouth, MA  02360.

For online condolences and directions, please visit our website: www.ashleydrolettefuneralhome.com

ASHLEY FUNERAL HOME

MIDDLEBOROUGH

508 947-3600