Irene Hale

Irene Mildred Hale, 98, of Shiremanstown, and formerly of Harrisburg, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 5, 2025, at her daughter’s home. She was born in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania on December 10, 1926 and was the youngest daughter of the late Chester G. and Pearl C. (Major) Hale.

Irene was known for having a very strong work ethic throughout her life. In her youth, she had worked as an usherette for the very popular Senate and Colonial Theaters in Harrisburg. Irene was also a former employee of the Carlisle Shoe Company, and later had retired from the Dauphin Shoe Company, both being American companies that had manufactured elegant baby shoes. Irene always kept very busy and would often assist older friends and acquaintances with their home care when help was needed.

It was not unusual to see Irene walking everywhere that she went, often easily maintaining the speed and stamina needed to cover large distances between the East and West Shore areas, whether to visit family, to go shopping, or to take care of other business for herself or for her daughter. She enjoyed walking and had recognized that this exercise over the years most likely supported her longevity of life.

Irene also enjoyed ballroom dancing, roller skating, organ music, and bird-watching. She loved her family and was very close to all of her brothers and sisters. She will be remembered fondly as an excellent cook, who would often make up large pots of food to share with friends and relatives as her expression of love for others. Irene was particularly known for having, and making, the Hale family recipe for spaghetti sauce that had originated with her father. She recalled that he would make the sauce from scratch—seemingly simmering for days—for times when special guests would visit their family home.

Irene will be greatly remembered as an excellent mother who took great pride in raising her daughter, offering many life lessons and opportunities for wisdom and growth. Irene was very proud of both of her grandsons and, with a smile, would often speak of the fine young men she had watched them become. Irene was also grateful to have had opportunity to know, and to share her love, with her four great-grandchildren.

In Irene’s later years, she had greatly missed her life-long love and soul mate of over 57 years, Kenneth “Barney” Barnhart, who had passed away in 2003. She was also preceded in death by 4 sisters, Ruth Fisher, Mary Doelker, Evelyn McClenahen, and Dorothy Keim, as well as 2 brothers, Paul Hale, and Harold Hale.

Irene is survived by her daughter, Brenda Barnhart Stirling (Michael), her grandsons, Robert Stirling (Amber), and Kenneth Stirling (Megan), and four great grandchildren, Austin, Andrew, Isabella, and Barrett, all of Carlisle. Irene is also survived by her brother, Gerald Hale, of Camp Hill, and several nieces and nephews, all with whom she always felt very close.

Irene's family will be remembering her life privately.  Burial in Mechanicsburg Cemetery will be at the family's convenience.