Irene Cecelia Scarlett

Irene Cecelia Frey Scarlett, 83, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, died on Monday, March 23, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born in Far Rockaway, New York, Irene moved to Pennsylvania to attend Albert Einstein Medical Center School of Nursing and then went to work at Albert Einstein Hospital as a young professional. In 1962, she married the love of her life, James Warren Scarlett. The family soon made their home in Line Lexington, Pennsylvania, where they raised three children. Irene was a passionate nurse. Her love of nursing was only superseded by her love of being a mom, so she eventually paused her working life to raise young children.

After returning to school at Gwynedd Mercy College, in 1980 Irene earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science Management and went to work in long-term care administration for the Philadelphia Geriatric Center, a Jewish senior care facility that was a leading center of elder care research. Irene worked for PGC until 1988, when she and Jim moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. Irene still felt drawn to elder care and continued to work as an administrator and consultant for hospitals and facilities across the United States and in Guam. Her dedication to her work improved the quality of life for residents, patients, nurses, and staff. After 2000 she retired and dedicated herself full-time to other passions: quilting, travel, birding trips with friends, sailing adventures with Jim, and spending time with her grandchildren. After her husband's passing, Irene eventually moved back to Lansdale to be closer to family and home.

Irene took her role as an elder of the McQueen family seriously, always keeping up with her sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, and their children and grandchildren, as well as her extended network of dear friends. She will be deeply missed by everyone, especially her children, Kelli Scarlett, Tim and Sarah Fayen Scarlett, and Shawn Scarlett, and by her beloved grandchildren, Sage, Skye, Warren, Blu, and Isaac.

Celebrations of life will be held on Sunday, May 24th, at the Chestnut Inn, 498 Oquaga Lake Rd., Deposit, NY 13754, and Tuesday, May 27, 2026 at 2pm at Whitemarsh Memorial Park, 1169 Limekiln Pike, Ambler, PA 19002. Details are available at this link.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Irene's memory to her favorite charities: The Aark Wildlife Scarlett Memorial Aviary Fund, or En Garde! Souderton.