<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
</head>
<body>
<div class="obit" id="main-obituary">
<div class="obituary-text"> <b>Blanche Irby</b>, 83, of
Huntsville and Madison, passed away Monday, May 24, 2021. <br>
</div>
<div class="obituary-text"><br>
</div>
<div class="obituary-text">Born in Vicksburg, MS to John Joseph
and Mabel Harris Loviza, Blanche graduated from St. Francis
Xavier Catholic School in Vicksburg. Education was invaluable to
her, and she returned to school as an adult to earn a Bachelor
of Arts in English with a minor in Theology from Athens State
College. She continued to soak up life as a forever student.
With a heart of gold, Blanche never knew a stranger and radiated
love and compassion. She saw the good in everything and everyone
and treated each day as a gift. She was a volunteer at Meals on
Wheels and a devoted member of St. John the Baptist Catholic
Church. Her loved ones believe she had a "direct line to God,"
as she was a true prayer warrior for everyone she knew.
Fittingly, two priests were drawn to her side to deliver her
last rites. She always wanted to meet God, and those who knew
her find peace in knowing she now rests in His embrace. <br>
</div>
<div class="obituary-text"><br>
</div>
<div class="obituary-text">Blanche is survived by her husband of
62 years, Thomas "Tom" Irby, with whom she built a life of
laughter, love, travel, and plenty of dancing. Their romance
sparked at school dances, and they married on April 12, 1959. At
every wedding, she and Tom stole the dance floor with their
light feet and loving gaze. They celebrated two vow renewals and
served as pillars of love and devotion for their family and
friends. Marriage to Tom was an adventure Blanche bravely
embraced. She willingly tried new things, such as hiking,
backpacking, snow skiing, sailing and scuba diving. She water
skied until age 70 - a passion she and Tom passed down to their
children and grandchildren. As a patron of the arts, she enjoyed
reading, weaving and theatergoing, especially to Fantasy
Playhouse with her grandchildren. Blanche was preceded in death
by her parents; and two of her siblings, Dorothy Faye Vedros
(Phillip) and John William Loviza (Emily). <br>
</div>
<div class="obituary-text"><br>
</div>
<div class="obituary-text">A beloved mother, sister and
grandmother, she leaves behind children, Lisa Derasaugh (David),
Peter Irby (Yvonne), Thomas "Griff" Irby (Anna) and Christie
Burgess (Ron); siblings, Joseph Loviza (Glenda) and Myrtle Curro
Alvarado (Bobby); and grandchildren, Andrew, Jessica (Tom),
Ryan, Meagan, Rachael, Grant, Grace, Zachary and Brandon. She
lives on in their loving memory and will be deeply missed. <br>
</div>
<div class="obituary-text"><br>
</div>
<div class="obituary-text">Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00
p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2021, at St. John the Baptist Catholic
Church in Madison, AL. The funeral service will begin at 2:00
p.m. and be officiated by Father Bryan K Lowe, Pastor. <br>
</div>
<div class="obituary-text"><br>
</div>
<div class="obituary-text">In lieu of flowers, memorials may be
made to Madison Senior Center Nutrition and Meal Program, 1282
Hughes Road, Madison, AL 35758.<br>
<center>
<div class="fixed-logo-container"> <img
src="https://cache.legacy.net/legacy/images/cobrands/huntsville/logos/laughlin_logo_09_2017.jpg"
class="i-amphtml-fill-content i-amphtml-replaced-content">
</div>
</center>
<br>
</div>
<br>
<div class="flower-tree">To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please
visit our <a class="tree"
href="https://sympathy.legacy.com/en-us/funeral-flowers/name/blanche-irby-funeral-flowers/p198785350/?affiliateId=29&pm=240"
data-trackclick="yes" data-vars-event-category="janus"
data-vars-event-action="janus_treesbutton"
data-vars-event-label="janus_obit" data-vars-event-value="0">
Sympathy Store</a>. </div>
<div class="obituary-publish-line"> <span>Published in The
Huntsville Times from May 25 to May 26, 2021.</span> </div>
</div>
</body>
</html>