Irene Hubbard

Irene Hubbard passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, June 3, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. Mother Hubbard, as she was affectionately known, was born on the 26th of March 1937 to Ernest Alonzo Sorensen and Rosella Larsen, in Austin, Sevier County, Utah. She was the third of four children. Irene is preceded in death by her parents, husband John, siblings Ernest, Connie, James his wife Peggy, and one great grandchild.

Irene is survived by sister Rosalie Capson (Dave), Connie's husband George Rausch, and James’ second wife Claudia. Her children John (Tracy Glover), Marvin (Richard Borg), Valerie Kernes (Jon), Lester (Lisa Lockaby), Dawn Cole (Richard), Steven (Carrie Coles), Betty, and stepchildren Glen Hubbard-Hing (Margaret Sluder), and Bonnie Mitchell (Conrad Pieske) are living. Irene is also survived by 30 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren.

Irene attended Salt Lake City Schools, graduating from West High School in 1955. She loved operating the switchboard one period each day. She also worked at Marlowe’s Nut House one summer. Irene attended BYU for one year with the intent of becoming a nurse. She seldom attended her BYU student Ward, choosing instead to come home most weekends. Irene was spending time with John Victor Hubbard while working as a nurse’s aide at LDS Hospital. They married on 26 September 1958, later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on 9 November 1959.

Irene was a homemaker and mother. She supplemented family income by watching the children of friends, neighbors, and grandkids, many of which adopted her as mom or grandma. Her activities in the church included primary and choir. Cows, music, caring for family, children, baking bread and other goods were among the things Irene loved most. She also loved watching college football and hockey. These couldn't fill the void in her life when she suddenly lost John on the 24th, July 1991. Irene began a new life at 55, managing a household of three, the youngest a recent high school graduate. The world opened up to her a short time later when she learned to drive. After getting her driver’s license, Irene cleaned the homes of friends. She also worked at Holladay Home for the Elderly for more than three years as a care provider, cook and home keeper.

Family activities were dear to Irene. She helped tend a family garden and bottled its produce. The same is true of the fish caught on family outings. Irene loved to go on family drives. Many of these drives were reunions and family visits. She was proud of her pioneer heritage and loved to visit ancestral gravesites with her children and grandchildren.

As dementia and health worsened, Irene lost her mobility. Irene told her family that she wanted to remain at home to the end. A dedicated family effort by itself could not have kept her home. The family thanks the compassionate skills of health and hospice care providers for making this possible. Even when she became bedridden, family trips continued. The last trips were to the Manti and Taylorsville Temple open houses.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Kearns 10th Ward, 5025 West 4865 South, Kearns, Utah. This was Irene’s home Ward for more than 58 years. Visitations will be held Friday, June 14, 2024, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Memorial Redwood Mortuary, 6500 S Redwood Rd, Taylorsville, Utah, and one hour prior to the service at the church.