Irene L. (Sutherland) Forgue

Irene L. (Sutherland) Forgue, 88, of Springfield, passed away on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. Daughter of the late William and Amy (Howison) Sutherland, she was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on May 26, 1937. Raised and educated in Scotland, Irene began a career as an elementary school teacher before moving to Springfield in 1981 and worked in the Springfield Public Schools for over fifteen years, retiring in 1999.

During her retirement, Irene was an avid golfer and tennis player. She also enjoyed traveling and socializing with friends and family.

Irene is survived by her children Jacqueline (Pearson) McCoy (Michael) of Colorado Springs; James Pearson (Elizabeth) of Ludlow; Graeme Pearson (Deborah) of Queensferry, Scotland and her brother Adam Sutherland (Peggy) of Washington, England. She also leaves her beloved grandchildren Michael, Scot, Samuel, Alice, Jessie, Thomas and Katherine and her great-granddaughter Sage. She was predeceased by her husband Donald Forgue and four siblings.

Irene will be buried in St Michael’s Cemetery in Springfield and a portion of her ashes will be scattered at New Haven Harbor in Scotland.

Visiting hours for Irene will be Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 10:00-11:30 AM at the Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home, 64 Sewall St., Ludlow, MA. A funeral home service will follow at 11:30 AM. Burial will be private, at the convenience of the family. Donations in Irene’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 330 Whitney Ave, Suite 420, Holyoke, MA 01040 or www.cancer.org or the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.