Beloved great-grandmother, longtime Claremonter, volunteer, traveler

Irene Behrens Teeling, 91, died Thursday, September 2 at her home in Claremont. She was born September 4, 1929 in New York City, and was a resident of Claremont for 59 years.

She graduated from Douglass College for Women, formerly known as the New Jersey College for Women at Rutgers University, and married Richard Teeling shortly after, with whom she had five children.

In 1962 they moved to California, where she spent her children’s early years as a homemaker. She later worked in accounts receivable for the Claremont Colleges for 20 years. After retiring in the late 1990s, she dedicated her time to serving others, volunteering for many years at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and Meals on Wheels. She was a longtime member and volunteer of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Claremont as well.

Later in life, she became the legal guardian of her two youngest granddaughters to ensure their wellbeing, continuing her commitment to caring for others.

She had a passion for travel, venturing abroad to Singapore, Japan, Germany and France, in addition to local adventures along the East Coast and the south, to places like Cape Cod, Washington, D.C., Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of life as well, such as weekly lunch dates with friends and the thrill of finding the perfect pair of shoes.

Her greatest joy came from her children and grandchildren. She was an amazing mother, grandmother, and friend, and will be deeply missed.

Irene is survived by three sons: Brian Teeling (Cherie) of Bloomington, California, Jeffrey Teeling of Claremont, and Brett Teeling of Richmond, California; grandchildren Dianna Threadgill (Rich), Amber Teal (Steven), Erin Stagner (Chad), Merry Bestard, and Atticus Teeling; and great-grandchildren Devon Threadgill, Seth Teal, Alyssa Teal, Hailey Teal, and Wyland Stagner.

She was preceded in death by her son, Richard Teeling, and her daughter, Linda Bestard.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 16 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1700 N. Towne Ave., Claremont.