Sr. Irene Bishop RSM

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Sister Irene Bishop, RSM (79) passed away peacefully at St. Bernardine Home, Fremont, Ohio on May 10, 2026. Irene was born in Lackawanna, New York to Teresa (Sheffer) and Frederick Bishop who later moved their family to Vermilion, Ohio. Irene lived with Aunts Pat and Fran for a time before joining the family in Vermilion and she remained close to them throughout her life.

After completing her bachelor’s degree at Edgecliff College, Cincinnati, Irene spent a year as a Franciscan Lay Missionary living among the Navaho Indians in Ganado, Arizona before entering the Sisters of Mercy in 1970. She earned her master’s in social work (MSW) from the University of Tennessee. As a social worker, Irene served at Mercy Medical Center, Springfield, Ohio, St. Rita Medical Center, Lima, Ohio, Catholic Social Services, Kingsport, Tennessee, Hospice of Louisville, Kentucky and Stein Hospice, Sandusky, Ohio. She also served as Administrator, Sacred Heart Home, Louisville. Her final ministry was as a chaplain at Mercy Hospital, Tiffin, Ohio, retiring in 2016.

Her years with hospice patients gave her the necessary experience and grace to gently accompany people to their heavenly home including caring for her mother in her final years. She, in turn, received the gentlest of care from the staff of St. Bernardine’s and frequent visits from her Mercy Sisters. She enjoyed time spent with family. To her credit, Sister Irene was lucky to have 5 special friends from back in their school days in Vermilion whom she always referred to as “the girls.” She and “the girls” took many fun trips and got together whenever they could, but her poor health and chronic pain prevented her participation in many of those get togethers in recent years.

Her brother, Martin, nephew Brian and niece Katherine preceded her in death. She is survived by her brother, Fred (Pierrette) Bishop, Quebec, Canada; aunt, Patricia Sheffer, West Seneca, New York; nieces, Terry (Jack), Jamie (Andrew), Mary Margaret; nephews Marty (Lori), Paul (Amy), Adam, Howard (Meredith); 12 great nieces and nephews, 5 great, great nephews, and her Sisters of Mercy community.

Services will be held Tuesday, May 12 at St. Bernardine Home. Wake/Committal service at 2pm followed by Memorial Mass at 4pm.