IRMA E. WYSE

Irma was born at home on November 27, 1934 to William and Helen Barmaster in West Walworth, NY. She was the first of two children, with her sister, Arlene, soon to follow. As one who would never venture far, she built a house on a parcel of land next door to her parents. They gave her the property and she made it her home for almost her entire life.

In 1953 Irma met a young man, Wallace C. Wyse, at the West Walworth Square Dance. In those days the town held dances every weekend. Wallace had his eye on this young blond he always saw there. He bet a friend a red sport coat that he could get to dance with her. Well, he won the coat and married the girl nine months later. They were happily married for fifty years. He died from lymphoma in March 2005.

Irma attended Rochester Business Institute and worked as a secretary until she and Wally had three children, Wallace, Mark, and Roby. Later, she worked at home as the Walworth Town Clerk, until growing children left her with no room. When they were all in school she worked as the lunch lady for the Wayne Central School District. She loved kids and had a great time. While at the High School, many of her son Wally’s friends called her Mom, and her coworkers were never sure which kids were hers. When her sons graduated, Irma moved to the elementary school with Robyn. We loved having her be a part of our day.

Grandchildren eventually passed through those lines, and buying ice cream for them was a great joy. She loved to tell stories about what the kids did or said, and always with a smile. She remained a proud and happy lunch lady until she retired in 1996.

Irma’s greatest passion in life was her six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a stepson. She really didn’t have any hobbies, but if you call baking great cookies for the kids a hobby, that was it. They were her pride and joy. They gave her the motivation to fight breast cancer with great determination. She had more strength and courage than anyone would have believed. It taught the family to cherish every moment no matter how small.

Irma’s battle with breast cancer began the summer of 1997. She complained of breast pain and after several mammograms, a lump was found against here chest wall. A biopsy in July was negative. Her doctor wanted to monitor her, and with a second biopsy in December, the news was not good. She had breast cancer. Irma had a lumpectomy on January 9, 1998. Her lymph nodes tested clear and the doctor was sure all the cancer was removed. The recommended course of treatment would be radiation therapy only.

The family was elated to celebrate Irma’s five year mark in January 2003, only to have the balloon “pop” the very next month. In February while lifting groceries from her car, she had a sharp pain in the middle of her chest. The doctor wanted to see her as soon as possible. After an x-ray, bad news; the cancer was back and now in her sternum and lungs. She fought with every medical option offered her. There were several different of radiation and chemotherapy treatments, as the cancer found more places to attack. But she thought, cancer is very smart and sometimes finds a way to break through the chemo. She would have to switch treatments. Each chemotherapy course was different and would have a new side effect, yet Irma dealt with it and agreed to whatever treatment the doctors would recommend. She found the radiation more difficult to endure than the chemotherapy.

Ultimately, Irma lost her battle on August 20, 2006. She is profoundly missed by all her knew and loved her.