Beach Gram

My extraordinary 92-year old grandmother, Irene Rose Lambert, passed away on February 29th.

She's the one who taught me about the power of friendship and the joy of bringing people to together to have fun, dance, and celebrate life. And, yes, that's a real goat in her lap.

To follow is her tribute which will appear in Monday's Asbury Park Press:

Irene Rose Lambert

Irene Rose Lambert peacefully departed this life with family by her side on Friday, February 29, 2008. She lived her life to its fullest and was a constant inspiration to her friends and family.

In 1934, she met her soul mate Patrick Lambert, who shared her love for the better things in life. They married on September 8, 1935 and raised their two children, Patricia and Bill, in a home filled with love, laughter, Irish music, and pets of every stripe and size.

In 1973, Irene and Patrick fulfilled their dreams by becoming full-time residents in their beloved Sea Bright. In her home just steps from the ocean, Irene, or “Beach Gram”, created unforgettable memories for her grandchildren with breakfasts on the beach, backyard sing-a-longs, and endless days in the sun. Her home and heart were always open to anyone who wanted to share a swim, a Schaefer, a story, a song, or a sunset.

Irene also forged lasting friendships in her new community, enjoying lunches with “the girls”, bridge (at which she usually won), travel, tennis, the racetrack, crosswords, and reading. She was always the life of the party.

Beyond her rich family and social life, Irene’s long professional career spanned from Finast in Jersey City to serving as welfare director for the Borough of Sea Bright. She also worked for many years at the Oceanic Free Library and Holy Cross Parish.

Irene and Patrick were together for 43 years until his death in 1979. She is predeceased by her siblings Helen, Mary, William, and Richard.

Her love for life endures in her children Patricia and Chet Kowalczyk of Middletown and Bill Lambert of Sea Bright; her brother Jim; her sister-in-law Tess; her grandchildren Tom and Jane, Tami and Harry, Moira, Patrick and Michael, and her great-grandchildren Matthew, Amanda, Anna, Sonya, and Sean.

Comments

[gwen]

I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to be one of Beach Grandma's friends. Every time Patrick took me to the beach through college and beyond, Irene would find the time and a reason to get me alone for a brief personal chat - asking me probing questions about the other "kids" Patrick brough along that day, asking what happened to whoever was not with us that day, and wanting to know what I think of the general state of "things". And always providing her own personal tips and advice on how to enjoy life. Thank you, Patrick, for sharing your wonderful Grandmother with me, I will never forget her! - Gwen.

[Scott Piro]

Pat - such a beautiful photo of her!

You did a beautiful job of honoring 'Beach Gram' with this tribute.

Obviously, the love and care she radiated and taught you lives on with you and the rest of your family.

-Scott

[Cynthia Lah]

Pat, so sorry for your loss. She sounds like a wonderful person.

[Emilia]

Patrick - my condolences to you and your family. The words clearly express how much you all loved her and she you. What good fortune to have that in your life. xo

[Ellen Gannon]

Dear Pat....

I have known your Mom and Dad and Gram and Grandpa most of my life, I am so sorry for your loss....Mine and my mom's too, she was such a dear and wonderful friend to my parents, as your parents are my great friends.

Again, so sorry...

Ellen Gannon