Resident of Los Gatos

Irene Stafford passed peacefully on August 3, 2024 at 4:45 AM from end stage heart failure. She was born and raised in Gilroy, California, to parents Serafim and Adeline Laranjo. One of six children: Anne, Mary, Adeline, Irene, Joanne and John, she was active in sports and graduated from Gilroy High in 1947. Her family then moved to San Jose where she attended San Jose State University and received her BS in Education. Irene started her teaching career in 1951 at Rancho Elementary in the Cupertino School District. In 1952, at a military dance in Moffett Field she met the love of her life, Calvin Stafford Jr, a navy man from Gulfport, MS. They married in June of 1953.

In 1955, while pregnant with their first son Andy, Irene became the first teacher in her school district allowed to work while pregnant! She continued working at Rancho Elementary and in 1957, Kathy was born and in 1959, Liz. In 1960, Cal’s job transferred them to Levittown, Long Island. Once again pregnant, she taught 3rd grade, and in 1961, Kevin was born. Moving back to California, Ray was born in 1962, and Bart in 1964. In 1966 they bought their forever home in the Santa Cruz mountains.

In 1968 Irene started her career at Williams Elementary School in San Jose, where she became a Master Teacher.

She taught there for 27 years until 1995, when she retired.

Calvin retired the same year, and they traveled around the world, visiting Jerusalem and most of the sites where the Virgin Mary was seen. When their travel days were over, they participated in Catholic Cursillos and joined art groups at community centers in Saratoga and Los Gatos making great friends and beautiful art!

Irene leaves behind her children: Andy Stafford, Kathy (Hal) Preston, Liz Rains, Kevin (Kelly) Stafford, Ray (Francesca) Stafford, Bart Stafford, grandchildren: Forrest (Francine) Brissey, Sandra (Juan) Moreno, Lauren Santora, Dawn (Damion) Jacobs, five great-grandchildren, 2 great-greats and many nieces and nephews, all dearly loved. She is preceded in death by her husband, Calvin Stafford, her parents, Seraphim and Adeline Laranjo, all her siblings and son-in-law Scotty Rains.

A Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life will be on Oct.

31 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Child Chapel, 23230 Summit Rd. Los Gatos. Family and friends are welcome! A private burial will take place in Gilroy on Friday Nov 1st at Saint Mary’s cemetery. For more information email Liz at: Lizabethworks@sbcglobal.net.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Christ Child Chapel.