Irene Agnes McMahon was born on April 23, 1932, to Clarence and Dale L. McMahon in Missoula, Montana. Irene had one brother, Jack Delbert McMahon and one sister, Sally Jean Bayer. The family moved to Tacoma, Washington in 1940.

Irene was a USO (United Service Organizations) Hostess in Tacoma, Washington, where she met and married Robert (Bob) Dennis Smith on February14, 1953. Bob served in the United States Air Force. During his enlistment Bob and Irene moved many times and had three children, Cynthia (Cindy) Anne Callan, born in South Carolina, Jeffrey Michael (Mike) Smith, born in Hawaii, Patrick (Pat) James Smith, born in Texas. Bob and Irene moved to Blythe in 1966, and they were married for 18 years.

Irene later married Earl Coleman Kem on July 14, 1973. Earl and Irene were married until Earl's death on August 21, 2012, for a total of 39 years. Their combined family gave them a total of ten kids, three Smith children: Cindy, Mike, Pat, and seven Kem children: Inez, Billy, Barbara, Darrell, Chuck, David, Donald. Irene lived in Blythe until after her beloved husband Earl passed and then she moved to Arizona with Cindy (daughter) & Jeff (son-in-law) in 2016. Irene entered into rest on May 15, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Dale McMahon, sister Sally Jean Bayer, husband Earl Kem, brother Jack McMahon, stepson Darrell Kem, son-in-law Jeff Callan, stepson Donald Kem.

Some of Irene's favorites include: she loved the color blue; she loved pot roast with potatoes and carrots; she loved listening to classic country music; she loved dancing, camping, crafts, sewing, crossword puzzles, reading, coloring on her kindle, and sports; she loved watching NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service); she loved vanilla ice cream and her one beer a day of MGD (Miller Genuine Draft); and she loved the family dog Gus.

Irene was loved by many, we will forever remember and cherish the memories in our hearts dearly, and we wish her peace in eternal rest.

A graveside service for Irene will be held at Palo Verde Cemetery on Thursday, June 18th at 10 a.m.