Irene C. “Rene” Tarnowski

Irene C. “Rene” Tarnowski, 91, of Dunkirk, died Saturday morning Aug. 28, 2021.

She was born April 14, 1930, in Detroit, Mich., the daughter of the late John and Emily C. (Roman, Kopec) Wisniewski.

A resident of Dunkirk for most of her life, Rene was a graduate of Dunkirk High School. She was a homemaker and in earlier years, she had been employed at Van Raalte, Ludes Brothers Florist, and the Canteen at Brooks Memorial Hospital.

She was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, the East Town of Dunkirk Auxiliary Fire Hall, the Dunkirk-Fredonia Cursillo Movement, Christian Prison Ministry, and the Secular Franciscan Movement, in addition to volunteering at St. Columban’s Retirement Home.

Survivors include three sons: Richard (Christine) Tarnowski of Binghamton, N.Y., Thomas (Diane) Tarnowski of Dunkirk, N.Y., and Mark (Pamela) Tarnowski of Charlotte, N/C; two daughters: Janet (Jeffrey) Wentz of Dunkirk, N.Y., and Mary (Todd) Ruggeri of Savannah, Ga.; one sister, Elizabeth Wise of Dunkirk, N.Y.; 12 grandchildren: Zachary, Nicholas, Christian, Kathryn, Daniel, Michael, Hannah, Emily, Elizabeth, John, Brooks, and Seth; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alphonse C. “Mongy” Tarnowski, who died July 24, 1995; and her infant son, John Joseph Tarnowski.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, Aug. 31, from 3-7 p.m. at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 10 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Dunkirk, N.Y., at a later date to be determined by the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Northern Chautauqua Catholic School or East Town of Dunkirk Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.