Irene Hetterich, a longtime secretary at St. Martin of Tours School and an Extraordinary Minister at the church, died Sat., Jan. 16, 2010, at home in Whispering Pines, North Carolina. She was 74 years old and had lived in Amityville from 1955 to 1998. Born March 5, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York, she was a daughter of the late Margaret and John Callahan. “She was a wonderful mother who raised seven kids and who welcomed many others into her home when we were growing up,” said her daughter Fran. “To many she was like a surrogate mother.”

In addition to her work at the school and as an Extraordinary Minister, she taught Pre-Cana and helped run the church’s youth program. She also worked as a secretary for Dr. Benjamin Stein, who owned and operated Brunswick Hospital. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Blake, and by her seven children: Stephen, Elizabeth Sleeman, Francine Hogan, Cecilia, David, Ann Marie, and Monica Pfohl. Two sisters, Margaret Hetterich and Kathleen Callahan, and one brother, James Callahan also survive her. Mrs. Hetterich was preceded in death by her brother, John Callahan. Funeral Service will be held at St. Martin of Tours in Amityville, New York, on Saturday, January 23, at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Breast Cancer Help, Inc. at 1555 Sunrise Highway, Suite 7, Bayshore, NY 11706 or the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, 3281 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite E13, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779.