Irene Metta Kinnett Obit

Chapel services will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park on June 18, 2004, at 10:00 a.m., with interment immediately following. Visitation will be on June 17th from 4-8 p.m. Chaplain Chuck Simonson of Hoffmann Hospice will officiate.

Irene was born to John and Dora Thomas in Hobart, Oklahoma and moved to Blythe, CA, with her family at age 13. She met the love of her life, Bill Kinnett, Sr. in 1938 and they began their family of 4 daughters and 2 sons. They moved the family to Kernville, CA in 1949 when Bill accepted a teaching job at Camp Erwin Owens. Irene loved those years and the close friendships she and Bill made with the "Old Kernville Gang." The family moved to Bakersfield in 1957 when Bill transferred to North High School. Irene enjoyed her membership in the North High Faculty Wives Association. After Bill's untimely death in 1964, she went to work at North High. She loved her job and all the wonderful people she worked with who were so kind to her. Irene retired in 1986 and devoted the rest of her days to her family. She passed away peacefully with her children at her side. She was deeply loved and she will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, her parents, three brothers, and her daughter, Joan Smith. She is survived by: her sister Myrle Hamilton of Blythe, CA; daughters, Sharon Pope and husband Mike, Betty Strickler and husband John, Frances Fischer and husband Ralph; sons, Bill Kinnett, Jr. and wife Ann, and James Kinnett and wife Mary; 21 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren, with the 30th "in the oven."

Pallbearers will be Bill Kinnett, Jr., Billy Kinnett, III, James Kinnett, Ralph Fischer, John Strickler, Robert Voss, and Ryan McCoy.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make contributions to Hoffmann Hospice, the Win Bootman Scholarship Fund at North High School, or the Alzheimer's Disease Association.

The family wishes to thank Hoffmann Hospice and the entire staff at Evergreen Health Care Center of Bakersfield who provided excellent care for our Mother and kindness to our entire family.