Hadley, MA –
IRENE GILLETTE ILLING FARISS –
Irene Gillette Illing Fariss, age 97, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Mass. after a brief illness.
Born in New London, Conn. on August 26, 1928, Irene was raised and graduated from high school in Manchester, CT, where her father served as Superintendent of Schools and her mother was a former teacher. Their dedication to education inspired Irene’s own passion and pursuit of learning. She earned a BA in English from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, graduating in 1950. After college Irene moved to Massachusetts, where she built her personal and professional life. Throughout her career, Irene enrolled in numerous graduate courses in education.
In addition to her work as a high school teacher straight out of college, she taught English as a Second Language, worked as a substitute teacher, served as an historic guide, and held a position in the career placement department at UMass, helping match students to careers aligned with their interests and skills. No matter where her career led her, she consistently found ways to support and encourage learning, both for herself and her students.
Irene was predeceased most recently by her brother, Neal G. Illing, in April. She was also predeceased by her father, Arthur H. Illing, her mother, Rose Gillette Illing, her sister, Norma Gillette Illing (who died before age 2), her first husband, Rev. Eliot Castillo, and her second husband, Dr. Robert Fariss.
She is survived by her daughter Andrée Clearwater of Manchester, CT and her son and his fiancée of South Hadley, MA; daughter Lisa Andrews and her husband Steven of Germany, and their four children and seven grandchildren; son Peter Castillo and his wife Julie of Northampton, MA, and their eight sons and eight grandchildren; son Thomas Castillo of Amherst, MA; and daughter Jennifer Rice and her husband David of Archdale, NC, and their two children. Irene is also survived by her nieces, Deanna Johnstone of Kaaawa, HI, and Gloria Jean Fixler and her husband Richard of Chester, NH, and their family, as well as her brother’s love of his life of 29 years, Jeanne Eagleson from Manchester, CT.
Irene was a woman of strong faith, a teacher, mother, minister’s wife, gardener, quilter, genealogist, researcher, author, artist, and gift-giver. Among her dreams was to build her own energy-efficient home. In pursuit of this goal, she attended the Shelter Institute in Bath, Maine, in her 50s. There, she discovered the Carpenter’s Boat Shop in Pemaquid, Maine, which had a lasting and profound impact on her son Peter’s life.
Through years of hard work and sacrifice, Irene was able to purchase her own home, a “fisherman’s cottage” on the Millers River in Erving, Mass. She lived there for over twenty happy years, immersing herself in the community, serving on the Erving School Board, practicing Chinese calligraphy, gardening, painting and studying birds and wildlife in her area. It was here in Erving that Irene researched, wrote and illustrated her book on the Pilgrims. At age 88, she self-published the book “Vanished into Smoke,” and conducted local presentations and book signings.
Known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren affectionately as “Oma,” Irene loved generously and unconditionally. Her family, bountiful gardens, book and owning her own home were her proudest achievements. Her loving, generous heart was her biggest legacy.
Arrangements are being handled by the Cremation Society of Connecticut in So. Windsor, CT. A Celebration of Life will be held and live-streamed at The North Leverett Baptist Church in Leverett, MA on Saturday, Nov 8 at 11 am, followed by a buffet luncheon in the church social hall.
The link to the live-streamed Celebration of Life can be found at www.nlbcma.org.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be sent to:
The Carpenter’s Boat Shop
440 Old County Rd
Pemaquid, ME 04558
Operation Mobilization
PO Box 444
Tyrone, GA 30290-0444
Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity
PO Box 60642
Florence, MA 01062