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1929-2024
L. Irene Domanski Rodrick Koehler passed away peacefully on the morning of June 3, 2024, at the age of 94, in the arms of her devoted daughter, Linda.
Irene was born on Aug. 1, 1929, to Joseph and Anna (Paskiewicz) Domanski as they had fled from Poland into Russian territory during a time of political unrest. Irene immigrated to the United States in 1935 at the age of 5 with her parents and her older brother Edward. They made their way with difficulty across Poland and Germany and caught a ship from France to Ellis Island. They then traveled by train to Pittsburgh, where they met up with Irene's grandfather, Safroni Paskiewicz who had arrived in 1911, and her grandmother, Maria Krotko, who had arrived in 1931. This experience of immigration, struggle, and hope shaped Irene's early life. Her reaction to these events solidified the positive outlook, strong work ethic, and generous spirit she exhibited throughout her life.
Irene learned the value of hard work growing up on her family's farms in Hanoverton and Lisbon, Ohio, inheriting a joyful attitude and creative impulse from her father and learning reliability, strength of character, and many skills from her mother. She attended Fairfield High School in Columbiana, Ohio, where she was part of a small, active class cohort who remained close over many years. She was sociable and popular, and engaged in many activities, including cheerleading, choir, and theater. Irene's first job was at Isaly's restaurant and ice cream parlor as a teenager, where she was eventually promoted to assistant manager, a rare position for a woman during this time.
Irene was swept off her feet by Theodore (Ted) Rodrick -- the "love of her life" as she described him even later -- whom she married in 1951. They raised their four children in Leetonia, Ohio, where they loved living so close to the family farm. Around the time that they divorced in 1980, Irene worked at Swopes Value King in North Lima. She later married Gordon Koehler, and they lived together happily until he passed away in 2008. For the next decade, she continued working hard, maintaining her home and yard, hosting large holiday dinners, and enjoying life in Ohio through the late 2010s. During this period, you could find her on just about any morning at Das Dutch Haus in Columbiana, having breakfast with any combination of family and friends in her large social network.
Throughout her life, many people were drawn to Irene's positive spirit and sociable, lively presence. She always had a positive and encouraging word to share with anyone. She had a way of making everyone feel special and appreciated. Known affectionately as "Nana," she poured much energy and love into her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, ranging in form from serious practical advice to limitless support and encouragement. She always had an opinion to offer -- and just as often, a kind word.
Irene spent her final years living with her daughter Linda in Foley, Alabama, surrounded by family members, including great-grandchildren she adored and loved to play with. Despite her limited hearing, she was always ready to share time, memories, and encouragement with anyone, her attitude summed up in one of her favorite phrases, "Life is good."
Irene is missed by many. She is survived by her sister Ann Tirpack and her brother Donald Domanski, and by her children, David Rodrick and wife Patricia, Tom Rodrick and wife Cynthia, Lori and husband Mark Kibby, and Linda Bell. She is also survived by her 15 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Irene was preceded by her brother Edward Domanski, her first husband, Theodore Rodrick, and her second husband Gordon Koehler.
7/6/24
