Irene Marolyn Giarmo, age 96, of Monroe, passed away peacefully at home on September 19, 2026

Born August 21, 1930 in Gibsonburg, Ohio, she was the daughter of Nunzio and Mary (Reino) Cicanese. Irene was a 1948 graduate of Gibsonburg High School and earned her LPN license at Maumee Valley Hospital. In 1952, she married William Giarmo, with whom she shared 50 wonderful years of marriage.

Irene spent her early career working at Mercy Hospital as an LPN. However, her true legacy lies in her extraordinary talent as a seamstress, a skill passed down to her by her mother. From intricate alterations to full wedding parties, there was no challenge she couldn't meet. She was deeply proud of all her creations, especially the garment she crafted for the Blessed Mother at the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio. Additionally, she was always delighted by the work she did for Miss America 1988, Kaye Lani Rae Rafko. Her family would affectionately tease her for this, calling her the "Seamstress to the Stars."

While she was a master with a needle and thread, Irene was equally passionate about sports. With a husband and sons who were football coaches, she naturally became the biggest football fan you'd ever meet and would confidently tell anyone that she knew enough to coach any team herself!

Besides her love for football, she was an enthusiastic Bingo player and enjoyed traveling in her later years with her friend John Truskowski.

Irene is survived by her son, John (Janet) Giarmo, and her daughter-in-law Connie Giarmo. She was the proud grandmother of Johnathon (Agatha) Giarmo, Jared (Terra) Giarmo, Alexander (Jasmine) Giarmo, and Katie (Greg) Gauthier.

Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren: Lainey, Avienda, Ari, Theadora, Celestia, and Maya Giarmo and Frankie and William Gauthier.

She is also survived by her brother, William (Betty) Cicanese, and her sister, Carol (David) Michael.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William; her son Billy; her parents; sisters, Kella Durso-Meyn and JoAnne Pizzino and brother Frank Cicanese.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, where a Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. She will lie instate at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Mass of the Resurrection at 11 a.m. Rev. Michael Anagbogu will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Monroe.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or Meals on Wheels of Monroe.

Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com.