Irene Ford Weigel

MIDDLETOWN - Irene Ford Weigel, of Middletown, passed away on Feb. 6, 2009. Born in Wilmington, on March 26, 1923, the only child of Archie C. and Mae Toler Ford. Mrs. Weigel was a musician, an educator and a person involved greatly in Episcopal Church activities for decades. A 1941 graduate of Harrington High School and of the West Chester College music department in 1945, she was a member of the violin section of the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra at the age of 14. Her violin teacher for many years, even after the family's move to Harrington, was the orchestra's conductor, Maestro Strausebach. Additionally, Mrs. Weigel was a soloist at many church services and civic functions for several years, both as a soprano and as a violinist. During her teaching career, Mrs. Weigel held positions in elementary schools in Greenville, Lewes and Middletown. After her marriage in 1959 to the late Robert Weigel, she retired from teaching and became very involved in various leadership activities within the Episcopal Church on both the local and regional levels. It was her privilege to attend at least two national conventions. One of her most rewarding experiences was working with the Episcopal Migration Ministries in helping to settle families arriving in the United States from oppressive conditions in their homelands of Eastern Europe and Asia. Mrs. Weigel is survived by a step-daughter, three step-grandchildren, eight step-great grandchildren, several cousins and many friends. Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 11 a.m. at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, 115 E. Green Street, Middletown. Mrs. Weigel's family requests that flowers be omitted and to kindly consider memorial contributions to the Organ Fund at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 421, Middletown, DE 19709-0421. Arrangements by Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home, Middletown. On-line condolences may be sent to www.daniels-hutchison.com.