Irene Burch Obituary

Irene C. Burch peacefully passed away Friday, September 15, 2023, at home, surrounded by family. She was 87 years old.

Irene was born October 4, 1935, to Calvin and Pearl Coolidge in Mancos Creek, Colorado. She attended the Southern Ute Vocational Boarding School in Ignacio, Colorado (Class of 1955). She attended the Albuquerque Nursing School in Albuquerque, NM, and graduated in 1956. She worked at the Tuba City Hospital in Arizona until she was courted by Leonard Burch (whom she met at boarding school). They were married in Pagosa Springs, CO, on Feb. 14, 1959. They began their family in Ignacio and she briefly worked at the Ignacio Elementary School Cafeteria. Irene stood gracefully and steadfastly supporting her husband, Leonard C. Burch, who was a Southern Ute Tribal Leader for 36 years.

She loved gardening and canning as well as planting flowers, sewing and all of the skills that made her home a place of love for her family. She enjoyed bingo and fellowship at the Sky Ute Casino. Irene also enjoyed the company of friends at the Ignacio Senior Centers Community Luncheons and looked forward to the annual Allison Grange Harvest Suppers every fall.

She is survived by daughters: Leonora Burch, Leona Burch, Lena (Steve) Gallegos, Lisa Burch, Leora (David) Lucero, Laurena Burch, Lynnette (Roger) Sage, and Rachel Burch; siblings: Gracie (Roger) Tsosie, Stanley (Martha) Coolidge, Carol (David) Flute, Lillie (George) Kellywood, Donald (Arlene) Coolidge; 16 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband: Leonard C. Burch; grandsons: Cody Cloud Bravo and Jaryn Edwin Smith Watts; siblings: William Coolidge, Phillip Coolidge, Nellie McKensley, Jimmy Coolidge, and her parents.

A funeral service will be held Friday, September 22, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at the Sky Ute Casino Event Center. Burial will follow at Ignacio West Cemetery.