Obituary - Irene McNee Alexander
Irene McNee Alexander, age 75, of Richmond, VA, passed away on June 4, 2026.
Born in Queens, New York to parents James and Helen McNee, Irene spent her early years in Flushing, New York, before moving to Pennsylvania. She graduated from Great Valley High School in 1968 and from West Chester University in 1972.
The following year, Irene married the love of her life, Kenneth Alexander. The two were married for fifty-two years and raised two sons, James and David Alexander, in Virginia. Irene became a “Gamma” in 2022 when David and his wife, Haleigh, welcomed their first daughter, Clara. Little sister, Isla, doubled the fun with her arrival in 2024.
Irene was a beloved ESL teacher for Henrico County Public Schools. Over the course of her career, Irene won multiple teaching awards including the Gilman Teacher of the Year Award. She retired from teaching in 2010, but never lost her passion for education. Irene was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a society for women educators.
In addition to her husband, sons, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters, Irene is survived by many family and friends who will fondly remember her generous spirit, infectious smile, and love for elephants. She was the first to offer help, loved baking for her friends and neighbors, never failed to send a card, and had an elephant-themed gift for every occasion. She will be dearly missed.
A memorial to celebrate Irene’s life will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Woody Funeral Home – Parham, 1771 N Parham Rd, Richmond, Virginia 23229.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial gifts be made to the Ronald McDonald House.
