Irene Billado Payson, 98, of Union, died May 17 at the Homestead at Owls Head.
She was born April 2, 1915 in Prospect to Edwin and Hazel Swan Billado.
Irene and her mother moved to Rockland where Irene grew up and graduated from Rockland High School in the class of 1933. Irene played on the Rockland High School State Champion basketball team in 1933. She worked as a stable girl at a local riding stable in exchange for riding. After graduation she worked as clerk in a general store and later as a medical receptionist and transcriptionist in a local doctor’s office.
In 1948 Irene married Grevis Payson and moved to Union. Grevis was a widower and had a six-year-old daughter, Judith. Irene and Grevis had two sons, Paul and Jeffrey. Grevis was a local businessman who founded Payson Farm Machinery (Ford tractors), several egg farms and a trucking company. Irene was a homemaker until Grevis was killed in a freak accident in 1969; after which she was actively involved in Payson’s Farm Machinery until the business was sold in 1978.
For several years, she enjoyed winters at her home in Winter Haven, Fla., and summers in Union. She was a member of the People’s United Methodist Church in Union. She taught Sunday school and was active in church programs and volunteer work. She was past president of Federated Woman’s Community Club of Union.
Irene moved to the Homestead at Owls Head in 2010, near where she spent time as a girl.
She was predeceased by an older sister, Ethel; and father, who both died in 1917 from the Spanish flu.
She is survived by her sons, Paul Payson and wife Linda of Hope, and Jeffrey Payson and wife Jill of West Rockport; step-daughter, Judith Payson Schwab and husband Moulton of Rockville, Md.; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A graveside service to celebrate Irene’s life will be held 2 p.m., Fri., May 24 at Lakeview Cemetery in Union.
You are invited to share your condolences with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.