Irene Callen Sugg Heninger died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, August 6th, at the age of 92. Irene was one of four children born to Richard Henry Callen and Lillian May Callen and raised in Jerome, Idaho. Her earliest memory was starting grade school at Canyonside Elementary. People might be surprised to learn she was a drum majorette in high school and once debated against future Idaho senator Frank Church. After high school, Irene attended Whitman College. She left Whitman and moved to Connecticut to be with her new husband and childhood friend, Louis Herbert Sugg. Lou was a US Navy submarine officer. While on the East Coast, Irene completed her Bachelor’s degree at Barnard College.
After the war, Lou left submarines to go to flight school. While they were in Pensacola, Florida, for flight school, their first son, Dale Callen, was born. After flight school, Lou earned a Rhodes scholarship, which allowed the couple to live in Oxford, England, for 3 years. During this stay, Kathryn was born. After Oxford, Philip was born in Jerome, Idaho. Lou returned to flying and was stationed in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Unfortunately during this time in Virginia Beach, Irene was widowed when Lou died in an aviation accident in the Mediterranean. Irene returned home to Idaho briefly to re -group.
Irene’s next move, at the urging of college friends, Liz and Dan Donno, Vera Dickey, and Lid Weeks, was to move her family to New York City. She worked at the New York Public Library for three years while attending Columbia University Library School and earning her Master’s degree. Following her time in New York, she moved to North Carolina to marry Duke University English professor Simeon K. Heninger, Jr. Tim and Irene had 2 children in Durham: Polly and Simeon.
When her marriage broke up, Irene took her now five children to Idaho. She was Assistant Directory at the Twin Falls Public Library, establishing bookmobile service to a wide area and becoming the eighth professional librarian in the state.
In 1968, Irene and her children moved to Seattle, and after 3 years teaching Children’s Literature and Storytelling at the University of Washington School of Librarianship, she became the director of Kitsap Regional Library. As director, she led a successful bond issue campaign to build a new central library for Kitsap County. She also oversaw the renovation of several branch libraries and automation of the library’s card catalog and circulation system. A meeting room in the central library is named in her honor.
During her professional career, Irene was an active member of the Pacific Northwest Library Association, serving a term as its president. She was also active in the Washington Library Association and the American Library Association.
After her retirement, Irene was appointed to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission. She also volunteered at the Nature Conservancy, Wing Luke Asian Museum, and the Seattle Symphony. Additionally she belonged to PFLAG and Friends of the Library.
Retirement also allowed Irene the time to travel extensively. She and her childhood friend, Marian Scott, went on 24 trips to six continents. They were always planning their next trip – until their health would no longer permit. Their trips included horseback riding in the Altai Mountains in Mongolia, trekking in the Himalayas, riding an elephant in India, and canoeing in the Okefenokee Swamp. She enjoyed reading, cards, crossword puzzles, symphonies, opera, and ballet.
Irene was admired for her drive, determination, and independent spirit.
Irene moved to Horizon House in 2002. She was pre-deceased by her sister Lilla May and her brothers, Dick and David. She is survived by her children, Callen, Kathryn, Philip, Polly and Sim, and four grandchildren, Laura, Thomas, Elijah, and Imani.
There will be a celebration of Irene’s life on Wednesday, August 12th, from 1:00 to 3:00 in the Sky Lounge on the 19th floor of Horizon House, 900 University Street, Seattle. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Partners in Caring program at Horizon House ( http://www.horizonhouse.org/philanthropy/ ) to honor the wonderful care she received, especially from the staff of 3rd floor Supported Living.