MILFORD - Irene W. Hitchens passed away Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016 at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford. She was born in Milford on Nov. 18, 1927, daughter of the late Wilson and Miriam (Dickerson) Workman. Irene was employed as the switchboard operator for the L.D. Caulk Co. in Milford for 38 years before retiring. She enjoyed playing bridge with friends, and vacationing in Florida which almost always included a visit to Disney World. Irene was a long time member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Memorial Fire Company in Slaughter Beach. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lemuel C. Hitchens, Jr. in 1997; and two brothers, Norman Workman and Carlton Workman. She is survived by a son, Lemuel "Chum" Hitchens, III, and his wife Judy of Milford; two daughters, Karen Ward and her husband Gary of Milford; and Linda Davis; two brothers, Richard Workman and his wife Loretta, and Billy Workman, all of Georgetown; a sister, Diane Ellingsworth and her husband Wayne of Georgetown; 8 grandchildren, Stacy Hudson and her husband Mark, Michele Deputy and her husband Morris, Tracy Brown and her husband Kyle, Heather Watson and her husband John, Jason Hitchens, Curt Lare and his wife Kim, John Davis, Jr., Dr. Lauren Hitchens and her fiancé Steven Rowan; and eleven great-grandchildren, Alexis Deputy, Margaux Deputy, Davis Watson, Ashley Clifton, Paige Parker, Hunter Brown, Kyla Brown, Hayden Lare, Steve Ward, Khailer Hitchens, and Madisyn Hitchens. Services and burial will be held privately. Donations in Irene's memory can be made to the Memorial Fire Co Ladies Auxiliary, 359 Bay Ave., Milford, DE, 19963, or to the Milford Public Library, 11 SE Front St., Milford.Condolences may be left on line at www.rogersfhmilford.com Arrangements handled by Rogers Funeral Home, Milford.