Obituary of Irene Anderson

Irene Anderson, 90, of Vineland, passed away peacefuuly on Sunday, January 23, 2011. She was born in Landisvill to the late Cisa (Fiocchi) and MAx Mercoli. Irene was a bookkeeper for 49 years, working various area businesses. In her later years, she was a teacher's aide at D'Ippolito School in Vineland until her retirement at the age of 80. An accomplished "League of Their Own" baseball player, Irene played for the Landisville Go Getters at the age of 16. She was known for her hard hitting skills and crafty left field manuevers. Irene was awarded a Gold Baseball for Outstanding Play during this period of her life. She was approached by national teams to travel across the country, but on the advise of her family, declined the offers. Irene enjoyed traveling, crafting, reading, and watching game shows. She was a memeber of the local chapter of the American Cancer Society where she volunteered aand served in various capacities for over 40 years. She was also a memeber of Sacred heart Church where she served as an Extraordinary Minister and was a member of Church Council, Rosary Altar Society, and the Finance Committee which allowed her to organize many memorable trips to New York City and beyond for the church. She was also a member of the garden Patch Quilters, and Bishop McCarthy Auxiliary. Irene is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Judy and John Fagotti of Vineland, grandchildren, who were her everlasting source of love and pride, jana (and her husband, Jason) Arentsen of Dallas,Texas, and Jessica Fagotti of Vineland, a step-son, Robert Anderson of Eagle Creek ,Oregon, a sister -in-law, lucille mercoli of Vineland, and three nieces, barbara Mercoli of Vineland, Lisa Pancheri of Millville and Michele mercoli of Mount Laurel, and the four- footed love of her life, jessie Whiskers. Irene also leaves to cherish many devoted friends and extended family members who will forever live in her heart and the heart of her immediate family. Irene was predeceased by her husband of 24 years, Charles Lester "Les" Anderson, and brother, Albert J. Mercoli. At the families request donations can be made to The Seeing Eye, Inc., 10 Washington Valley Road, Morristown, NJ 07960 (State organization for seeing. eye dogs)