Irene Maria Frosolone, of Lewiston, NY, passed away November 29, 2020 at Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, NY, following a short illness.  Born in Diepoldsau, St. Gallen, Switzerland, she was the daughter of the late Ferruccio and Maria (Hutter) Burchia.

After a three-year long distance courtship, Irene married Alfred Frosolone on September 3, 1977 in Heerbrugg, SG, Switzerland, and emigrated to the United States.  Irene was employed at Klinik Schlossli in Kanton Zurich prior to marriage; and United Cerebral Palsy (Empower) as an accounting specialist for 31 years, retiring in December 2017 along with Al.  She was a member of the Rainbow Singers, Lewiston Service Guild, President of the Swiss Club of Western New York; and volunteered with Al at the Lewiston Kiwanis Peach Festival for over 40 years. Irene always supported Al in all of his various volunteer and professional endeavors, and he looked to her constantly for her advice and wisdom. In her free time Irene studied voice at the Conservatory of Music in Zurich, and was a member of the Zurich Opera Chorus. She loved sharing her God-given gift for singing at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine; and several area parishes, including Sacred Heart and Divine Mercy; was an avid walker, and enjoyed gardening and bird watching. She offered her warm smile as a ray of sunshine to everyone she encountered.

In addition to her husband and best friend of 43 years, Irene is survived by her beloved siblings in Switzerland, Ferruccio (Annelies) Burchia, Cellmira (Hans) Buechel, Maria (Walter) Heule, Eleonora (late Hans) Eisenbart, and Yvonne (Eugen) Weder; her brothers-in-law, Anthony (Cecelia) Frosolone, John C. Frosolone, and sister-in-law, RoseMarie (Bill) Schmidtke, who she loved as siblings; longtime close friend and kindred spirit Carol Fleischman; as well as many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in Switzerland and the U.S.

Her husband and entire family extend heartfelt thanks to all the nurses, aides, doctors and professionals that cared for her in such a compassionate manner in recent months as she fought so hard to overcome the cancer that took her from us; especially visiting nurses from Catholic Health; and staff at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Niagara Hospice.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 5 from 9 – 11 AM at St. Mary of the Cataract Church, 237 4 ^th Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14303, where Irene's Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated by Fr. Jacek Mazur, Pastor and Fr. Peter Calabrese, CRSP on Saturday at 11 AM.  Interment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Empower, Niagara Hospice, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, or a charity of one's choice.  Arrangements by M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL.  Visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online condolences.