Irene Shimkus

Irene Marie Shimkus, 69, of Clarks Summit, passed away peacefully on Thursday, in Tunkhannock Rehabilitation & Health Care Center.

Born November 15, 1956 in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Pranas Steponas Shimkus and Valeria Theresa (Klimaitis) Shimkus.

Irene attended Bishop Hannan High School and graduated valedictorian of her class in 1974. Being passionate about helping others, she went on to obtain a degree from Temple University in dental hygiene and later a bachelor’s in allied health from East Stroudsburg University. Before retiring in 2011, Irene worked as a dental hygienist for the Scranton School District for over 30 years and was known by most of the children as “The Tooth Lady”. In 2004, she was featured by The Scranton Times as the “Northeast Woman” for her volunteer work in Peru, where over a three-week period, she was able to help over 130 patients by scaling and polishing their teeth, administering fluoride and providing dental education. She was driven by a passion to help others and believed “you’re never too young or too old to be of help to somebody”.

She is survived by her brother Frank G. Shimkus, nephew Frank S. Shimkus, great nephew Grayson and great niece Noelle.

The funeral will be Friday at 10am at St. Ann's Basilica, 1233 St Ann St, Scranton, with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow.

Memorial contributions may be made to Griffin Pond Animal Shelter or the Ronald McDonald House of Scranton.