Irene Louise "Sammie" Pasquale Alford, 78, went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, January 24th with her loving and devoted husband, Carl, by her side. One of four children, Irene was born in Inglewood, California on October 26th, 1934 to William and Della Mae Pasquale. She grew up and went to school in the Inglewood & Lawndale area. After high school, Irene worked at various jobs until she met Carl, the love of her life. They were married on June 24, 1961 and recently celebrated 51 years of marriage. Irene and Carl lived most of their married life in Yucaipa, California moving to Indianapolis in April of 2011. She shared many interests with her husband including ham radio, bowling and racing. Sammie obtained her Level 1 Technician ham radio license in 1964, later going on to earn her Level 3 Extra Class license. It was during their time in a bowling league in California that Irene was given the nickname "Sam" which later turned into "Sammie". From that time on, if you called her Irene you didn't get away with it for long. Sammie developed a love for racing and often accompanied Carl to his midget car races and she even "hot lapped" a midget car once. Sammie and Carl's "children" were of the four-legged kind: Duke, Babe, Trixie and Princess, their most recent canine companion. Sammie poured her heart into loving each of them in a very special way. And, just as she poured her heart into them, she poured her heart into people. Sammie was feisty, fun-loving and mischievous. If she thought she was right, she'd never back down. At the same time, Sammie would do anything in the world for you. If you needed something, and she had it, she'd give it do you. No one's life was left untouched by her mischievous smile and the twinkle in her eye and her kind heart. Sammie is survived by her husband Carl, her precious poodle Princess, brother -in-laws Tom (Donna) Alford and Jim (Cindy)Alford, sister-in laws Bea Elliott and Margaret Turner, eleven nieces and nephews and their spouses, and countless great-nieces and nephews. A special thanks goes out to those who helped Carl care for Sammie the past few years; Amber & Jazmyn Solis, Erin & Joel Renten and Tommy & Sam Alford.