Irene Semenick, 77, of New Smyrna Beach, formerly of Cliffside Park, New Jersey, passed away on July 26, 2014 with her closest family at her side. Irene was pre-deceased by her Beloved Husband Paul of 41 years, her mother Helen and her brother Oleg. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Wayne and Kendra Semenick, daughter Nina Semenick and daughter and son-in-law Lori Ann and Richard Economy. Irene is also survived by her six grandchildren, Laureen and Autumn, Alexis and Kayla, Brendan and Christopher. Irene was born in Taganrog, Russia but left at age 6 with her mother. Still a child of 6-8 years she was held captive in a German prison labor camp with her mother until being liberated by U.S. Forces during World War II, for which she was forever grateful. Prior to coming to the United States, she lived in Belgium for a short time and later in Marseille, France where she lived and went to school until coming to the United States at age 14. Irene was fluent in Russian, French, and English as well as speaking some German and Spanish. One of her proudest moments in life was becoming an American Citizen. She married Paul in 1958. Before adopting their children they had many hobbies including breeding champion Poodles, wine making from their private vineyard, beekeeping and maintaining an orchard to name a few. They also built custom cars, a talent that they were recognized for in many publications during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Irene came to the Daytona Beach area in the 1970s with her family. Irene and Paul worked side by side on their rental properties in New Jersey and Florida. She was a very hardworking woman and sacrificed much of herself for her family and others. Irene's family and friends were her life. Irene always put others first in her lifetime and will be missed dearly by those she leaves behind. A private interment is scheduled for Friday, August 1, 2014 at Daytona Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Daytona.

Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL) - Wednesday, July 30, 2014