Irene Volpe (Bowers/Brissler) died at home with her family on November 12, 2021, in Tehachapi, California of Alzheimer's disease at age 91. Her funeral will be held at Rose Hills Cemetery, 3888 Garden of Compassion, lot 2602, space 2.

Born in Overton County, Livingston, Tennessee on October 30, 1930; she was named after her father Ira Bowers, and the only child of her mother Amy Ovie Brissler (Garrett). Amy was born in 1914, died of natural causes at 95 years of age in 2009. Her beloved "Dad" Daniel Harvey Brissler, whom she asked to be buried next to, was born in 1912 and passed in 1991. Irene married Jerry Haskell Snavely and together they had three children, Doctor Danny Haskell Snavely born 1952, Sammy Leon Snavely 1953 -2007, and Rhonda Marie Snavely (Anderstrom) 1955. Irene met the "love of her life" Stephen Peter David Joseph Volpe (Steve) when they were both 30 years old. He preceded her in death in 2009.

Irene, like her mother, was a profound artist; but where her mother performed with needle and thread, Mrs. Volpe expressed herself in music. Besides romancing the crowds with her angelic voice in local nightclubs, you could hand her any musical instrument and within a few hours, she would be playing it beautifully. Her son, Danny Snavely inherited her musical instrument talents, as did her grandson, Mackey James Anderstrom.

Besides her two surviving children, Irene leaves behind many beautiful, talented grandchildren: Maria Ann Snavely (Bennett), Jacob Schon Snavely, Aria Daniell Snavely, Christina & Katii Rose Snavely, Allon Marie Baldassarre (Young), Benjamin Paul Baldassarre, Mackey James Anderstrom, Lucas Byrd Anderstrom and Marcus Burton Anderstrom.

The wonderful great grandchildren of Irene are Gregory Marcus Drissen, Kaitlyn Rena Baldassarre, Mackai Elijah Anderstrom, Finley Jane Anderstrom, Regan Grace Snavely and Noel Claire Snavely.

At 4 foot 10 inches and barely 100 pounds, Irene Volpe was a "Force" to be reckoned with. She will be missed greatly by all who ever had the great pleasure to make her acquaintance.

Wood Family Funeral Service has been entrusted with her care. For condolences, please visit http://www.woodmortuary.net. Wood Family Funeral Service requires guests to practice social distancing and face masks/covering are highly recommended.