Irene Faggard Merendino, 89, of Beaumont, died Thursday, January 9, 2014. She was born July 26, 1924, to Lucienne (Lou) and Clyde Faggard and was a lifelong resident of Beaumont where she was a retired Secretary for Mobil Oil Refinery.

Survivors include her son, Jake "Jay" Merendino; longtime family caretaker, Carolyn Guillory; brother, Clyde "Bootsy" Faggard and his wife, Gail; brother, Albert "Bobo" Faggard and his wife, Anne; and several nieces and nephews.

A gathering of Mrs. Merendino’s family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, January 12, 2014, with a Christian Vigil at 5:00 p.m., at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 13, 2014, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.

A special heartfelt thanks to Barbara Smith with Angel's Loving Home Care where she spent the last year of her life in the best of care. Additional thanks to Jeannine Chapman, Mai Lee and Roberta Bullington who cared for her in previous years.

It was Mrs. Merendino’s request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made specifically to Houston Audubon, which supports the restoration of Bolivar Peninsula, 440 Wilchester Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77079. Telephone:(713)932-1639; Fax:(713)461-2911; Email:fhannah@houstonaudubon.org.