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Irene Delores Parks Henderson "Renebird" Foster

1927 - 2020

Irene Delores Parks Henderson "Renebird" Foster obituary, 1927-2020, Chicago, IL

BORN

1927

DIED

2020

Irene Foster Obituary

Foster, Irene "Renebird" Delores Parks Henderson

1927-2020

Co-written by Geraldine Alice Washington (Sister) and Robbe Lynn Henderson (only daughter)

On September 30, 2021, Irene "Renebird" Parks Henderson Foster would have celebrated her 94th birthday. Irene, age 93, joined our Lord in heaven on November 11, 2020. She was born September 30, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Ira Delano Parks and Mary Crenshaw Bowles Parks.

Irene was the second daughter, following Geraldine Alice, and preceding Charles Alvin, Elizabeth Ann, Patricia Ann, Barbara Olivia, Ira Dean, and Salye Elaine. Irene had a special singular individual relationship with each of her siblings. She enjoyed sharing special unique growing-up experiences with Geraldine. She danced with Charles, who would choreograph with her on his feet. On weekends, Irene & Charles would perform their routines to an adoring group of their peers. She spoke to Elizabeth & Barbara daily from Las Vegas for over 20 years. She traveled to Milwaukee with Patricia. As an airline manager, Ira upgraded/arranged for many of her trips, about which they had numerous hilarious conversations. She took Salye to be baptized as a baby. She also had very close relationships with her cousins, Harold, Inez and Arthur. Although she had many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives, too many to mention here - they know who they are and she treasured them - however, we must acknowledge Mary Elizabeth, Richard Lawrence, William Lewis (Aqueel), Anthony Rene, Narada, Cyril Antoine, Larry Kevin, Douglas Alvin, Edie, Marlynn Elizabeth, and Charles Jamie who were always there for her. Also included in her special beloveds, Adrienne Joy, Marcia Gleaves, Marvin, Gregory, Yolanda Maria, Jill Allison, Julie Ann, Rory, Christopher, Dominique Nikki, Monica Blair, Kenneth David, Bradley Craig Jerome, Harriette Ann, Robert, David, Willie, Cynthia. She had an extended family which continues today with the children of the Franklins, Whites, Fairs, Hackleys, Battinis, and Magetts. Irene also shared close contacts with the children of her siblings & relatives, and her godchildren, Torricelli III and Elizabeth Irene.

Irene was definitely a people person! She never met a stranger. She could talk to anyone/everyone and found a way to communicate successfully, even when she was called to represent the United States with those for whom English was a foreign language. She took French and Spanish. She didn't realize how fluent she had become in French, until on her visit to Corsica, a wonderful event took place where only French was spoken and she saved the day!

She attended college while working in the editorial, production, and television divisions of these companies. Irene wrote poetry as an avocation.

Irene's thinking was way before her time! She was among the first Black women to be hired by the Chicago Illinois Bell Telephone. She had a brief entry into the modeling career. Beginning in 1961, Irene was a proofreader and became a Production Editor for Encyclopedia Britannica Press Educational Corporation (EBPEC). In the mid-1960's, she starred in an educational film published by EBPEC entitled "The Blue Dashiki", which is still available for viewing over half a century later. She transferred to the American Medical Television division, where she and six other women, pioneered the development of videos to teach doctors new medicine. In the 1960's, Irene created a prototype of a Black girls' paper-doll based upon Jill White of her extended family. Publishers, at that time, were too unenterprising, moreover, entirely underestimated the interest for Black paper-dolls. She lived to see that they were wholly wrong, and she was prescient. After and extremely successful and diverse career, she retired in 1994.

She has received numerous awards, among which are: the 1990, a second award in 1992, World of Poetry Golden Post; 1990 Silver Award Las Vegas; 1994-95 Marquis Who's Who in the Midwest; 2007-09 Cambridge's Who's Who Among Professional Women Honors Edition. In addition to Irene's awards, in 1992, she appeared on television in the New York area reading a poem she had written about her father.

In 2009, in response to younger members of her family requesting to know more of their ancestors, Irene, at 81 years, self-published an oral history of the Parks & Bowles families. The work is entitled "Irene...My Family & Still Growing..." Along with memories of her sisters, brothers, cousins, Irene complied a compendium about her Black Community combined with facts into a story of how her family expanded. It is available at Ex Libris, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. This is an excerpt from the "Closing" of her book "...This has turned out to be mostly the story of my life...I am sorry that I did not have more information about the old Black folks and some white relatives, but they did not talk...I wish I had time to write about all of the other wonderful things that have happened to me in my lifetime...", so, Irene always the historian & optimist!

After 30 years of age, she traveled to over twenty-nine countries and half of the United States. All of us remember her recounting of her perspectives on New York City, Toronto/Quebec/Montreal, Canada, Israel, England, France, Corsica, South Beach, Florida, Houston, Texas, Los Angeles, Hawaii, Seattle, New Orleans, among others - such as riding on a camel in Egypt, the jade ring given to her by a gentleman in Cairo, the white dress for her sister-in-law from Rosarito Beach, Mexico, the chocolatier who gifted her with his family's special box of chocolates from Bruges, Belgium, the unique rosaries from a nunnery in Canada, and the blessed gifts from the Vatican.

She retired to Las Vegas in 1995 with her beloved constant companion of over 40 years, Edmund Handy. They remained together in Las Vegas as a vibrant couple, experiencing all Las Vegas and environs had to offer and living their life together in peace, happiness and warmth. They truly loved each other.

I'm so emotional, as I write this tribute to my mother! Irene was such a positive and motivating force in my life - I'm overwhelmed with gratitude, thanks, respect and joy for having had her in my life. From beating me at Scrabble in my high school years, to teaching me how to making spaghetti with Bay leaves, to hand tailoring all of my clothes for graduation from high school, to selecting an editor for my dissertation, to encouraging me to move to Cali, to driving around Vegas eating nachos, car, to our wonderful trips together all over the place, to just sitting, laughing watching tv with her in Vegas - oh, how I miss our times together! She was/is such a joyful part of my life - I can never forget her - I am today what she made me - and thank God for her! She's with God, but my/our memories and my pc keep me in daily touch!

Irene, from all of the family and friends - much love and respect - delight in your time with God - WE MISS YOU TREMENDOUSLY!

Irene asked that she be cremated. Edmund and I have divided her ashes equally, and are maintaining them in beautiful urns. Instead of flowers/donations, Irene asked that you contribute to the lives of our younger family members & families, when appropriate.

Sign Guest Book at legacy.suntimes.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Sep. 27, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Irene Foster

Sponsored by Chicago Sun-Times.

Not sure what to say?





Lee Garza

September 21, 2024

Another year has gone by. I want you to know that Robbe Lynn and I have befriended each other, so the "connection" continues. We are blessed in eternal friendship and love for you.

Yolanda

September 25, 2023

Aunt Irene, you are loved and missed everyday. The time we spent together in Las Vegas is a cherished memory that will stay with me forever. I love you. Yolanda (Yogi)

Rennie

September 25, 2023

Continue to be blessed from knowing and being influenced by you, Queen! Thank you!
Rennie

Lee Garza

September 21, 2023

Still think of you, my friend. Your soul glows brightly in all of our hearts.

Dr. Jesse J Hargrove

September 21, 2023

Remembering the good times and the family, friends, and colleagues that you brought together. Your love of Robbe and family is a hugh chapter in your book of life and living. Please know that more chapters will continue to be written in your book of life. Blessings .
-- Jesse J Hargrove, Ph.D.

Barbara K Vines

September 21, 2023

We miss you Irene, but we must remember God loves flowers too.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Robbe Lynn Henderson

Planted Trees

Robbe Lynn Henderson

September 21, 2023

9/21/23 Irene, I love you and miss you so much! Your loving daughter, Robbe Lynn

Grove of 100 Memorial Trees

Robbe Lynn Henderson

Planted Trees

Cyril

September 23, 2022

Dear Irene, I miss you so much already. You plaid such a huge role in my life. Thanks to you I was able to reunite with my father and you were always present at significant events in my life such as my graduations and when you visited me in Corsica with Robbe. Thank you for all the love you showed me. I will always remember you and for that you will always remain alive in me. Love Cyril

Barb Vines

September 23, 2022

Irene, We. Loved you but God Loved you more

Ann Handy

September 22, 2022

Dearest Irene: It has been a great joy to have known you. You enriched my life in so many ways. Any one who was lucky enough to enter your special "orbit" was enriched in some way. I am no exception. Rest in Peace. Ann

Lee Garza

September 22, 2022

Dear Irene, it's been almost 2 years since you left us. I think of you often and see your face and sunny smile right in front of me. Know that you are not forgotten. Remembering you with friendship and love.

Marcia Gleaves Marshall

September 22, 2022

Irene was always an amazing, bigger than life force of nature! She did so much and left such a wonderful legacy and life template. Love you! Miss you!
Marcia

Douglas Parks

September 21, 2022

Aunt Irene was a smart and intelligent woman. A beloved family member

Brianna Marshall

October 1, 2021

Aunt Irene, you are and will be truly missed. Me and James decided to get married next year in Vegas and I´m sad I won´t be able to visit you or talk to you when we arrive. We didn´t talk often but I will cherish those few conversations we did have together. Always encouraging words and memories from you about you and the family. Good times

Love always, Bri

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Shirley Brown

Planted Trees

Egla Hassan

September 30, 2021

I only met Irene once-but I know the dynamic force of love, knowledge and kindness she was by knowing her beloved daughter, Robbe Lynn Henderson.

Rest in Peace.

Grealdine A. Washington

September 29, 2021

To my loving sister, Irene,
Who lived a loving-exiting- happy life.
I have truly and greatly missed you and will continue to do so. Our childhood-teenage-adulthood we shared so much. Relatives-friends-occasions-happy events-parties-sadness. I have missed you Irene not being able to share our school years and wonderful memories-our grammar and high school. Geraldine-Irene-Charles (Irene met Robbe's father her future husband ( Robert) that's where Charles met his future wife. Corrie) For Irene's beautifull love for my son Richie and lastly I must say how Irene gave in many ways to many, what each one needed when they needed. Irene has gone to be with Jesus. It may not be long before I join Irene with Our Jesus, but until then apart of my life is gone.
Love you Irene,
Geraldine

Mary Washington

September 28, 2021

Irene made me feel so special. In high school, I was in the Glee club. We were to wear powder blue taffeta, I could not sew, but I did my best. The dress was a mess!. When Irene saw my dress she sat up with me the entire night and redid the dress. It made me feel so special that she would do this for me.
Irene you're no longer in pain and in the hands of your greater. I will always miss you and think of the special times she and I had together.
I love you Irene,
" Little Mary"

Mary washington

September 28, 2021

Irene, I miss you terribly. I miss you calling me "Little Mary" Irene you new so much about so many things. I remember our long conversations. Irene, your pain is over. Rest in peace. your loving neice.

Jill

September 28, 2021

My life was so enriched by having my "play mom" Irene in it. She encouraged me in all my endeavors, especially reading and acting. She sparked my love of photography by giving me my first 35 mm camera. Most of all, she made all of us children feel important and valuable by truly listening to us and challenging us to go beyond the pat answers most adults accept. Love you so much!

Lee Garza

September 27, 2021

Irene, my dear friend and colleague, I will remember you always. Rest in peace in God's heavenly embrace. With love, Lee Garza

Torricelli Magett

September 27, 2021

Great godmother to our (Torris & Yvonne) two children,Torricelli, III and Elizabeth Irene. Rest in Heavenly peace, forever Renebird. I.H.S.

Robbe Lynn Henderson, PHD only daughter

September 27, 2021

Irene, you are my heart! I love and miss you so. Enjoy your time with God, you've earned it! Be happy!

Cluster of 25 Memorial Trees

Robbe Lynn Henderson, PHD

Planted Trees

Rennie

September 27, 2021

An absolutely phenomenal woman ..."Aunt " Irene will always be a glorious part of my life!

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