Irene Osborne celebrated her 100th birthday March 5, 2017, with family and friends at the Walker Memorial Academy gymnasium in Avon Park, Fla.
This centenarian, born Irene Felice, took nurse’s training at Madison Hospital in Tennessee, where she met her husband to be, J. Wesley Osborne. They were married September 11, 1938, in a garden wedding the day after her graduation. When their house in Hendersonville, Tenn., burned down in 1967, they moved to Avon Park.
After working with various children’s Sabbath School divisions, Osborne eventually became associated with the youth group. Fond memories were made for these young people as they had fun pursuing missionary ventures. In appreciation for her work, they nominated her for the Woman of the Year Award with emphasis on home and community. She received this award in 1986 as part of the Association of Adventist Women’s Convention in Loma Linda, Calif.
“I just want to be remembered as the youth leader,” says Osborne, “as youth have been my life. I think there is nothing like our young people.” Evidently, the feeling was mutual, as those she influenced in Avon Park dedicated the Osborne Youth Center in honor of her faithful, loving ministry for more than 30 years.
After her doctor husband, who specialized in obstetrics, passed away in 1992, Osborne moved to California to be near her children. Avon Park still seemed like home to her, so in later years she has spread her time between California and Avon Park.
Her family includes two sons, David (Judy) Osborne and John (Diane) Osborne; two daughters, Judith (Jim) Crabtree, and Pat (Bill) Kirstein; four grandsons; four great-grandsons; and one great-granddaughter.
Florida | June 2017
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