Irene L Dzubak

Irene (nee Labas) Dzubak, 90, formally of Glenwood, Maryland passed into eternal life on March 6, 2026. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, William “Bill” Dzubak in 1991. She is survived by her children, Melanie Samson, Timothy (Andrea) Dzubak, Nicholas (Cynthia) Dzubak and Jonathan (Susan) Dzubak and her brothers Ralph (Sandy) Labas and John Labas. She is also survived by her ten loving grandchildren and two great grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews.

Irene was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to John and Julia (nee Duransky) Labas and was one of nine children. A lifelong Orthodox Christian, she met her husband Bill at an American Carpatho- Russian Youth (A.C.R.Y.) dance and was married June 13, 1959. She followed her husband as he worked as an accountant in Pittsburgh and Chicago before settling in the Washington, DC suburbs, where they raised their four children. Irene and Bill were founding Members of The Church of the Holy Resurrection in Washington, DC and later in Potomac, Maryland, where both were instrumental in helping the small church thrive. She loved her church and fellow parishioners and spent many weekends making the traditional Slovak breads and other Slovak delicacies, which became a primary source of income for the growing parish. There weren’t many church or A.C.R.Y. activities that Irene wasn’t involved in over the years, often chairing or co-chairing. In addition, Irene spent many years singing in the church choir and later served as a cantor.

As her children grew up and went off to school, Irene began a career as a secretary in the Montgomery County Maryland school system. She worked her way to becoming a middle school office secretary, before spending several years as the principal’s secretary at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School before retiring. Irene was known for her wonderful work ethic, attention to detail and willingness to take on any task asked of her. She was an avid reader, and enjoyed suspense novels, especially those by Robert Ludlum. In addition, Irene enjoyed playing Scrabble with friends and her children. She was playfully described as being a “cut-throat” scrabble player who never took it easy on her opponents, especially her children. Her children all agreed that there were no participation trophies given in her scrabble matches and you needed to earn your victories against her.

Her retirement years were spent doting on her grandchildren, be it having a ready stash of chocolate chip cookies in the freezer, spending summers with her daughter, hosting what became known as “Camp Grandma,” making homemade meals, or sending care packages to the grandkids in college, Irene cherished the time spent with all ten grandchildren, along with several “honorary grandchildren” of all ages. Irene often made sure that many of the single young adults at Holy Resurrection had a place to go for Christmas or had a Pascha Basket (filled with all the traditional Slovak foods) at Easter time. In short, Irene was loved

by her large family, extended family and so many unofficial family members over the years and will be missed by all.

Visitation will be at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, 10201 Democracy Blvd Potomac, Maryland on Wednesday March 11, 2026 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and again from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a Panachida Service at 7:30 PM. Visitation will also take place on Thursday March 12, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM. Funeral Service will be held at Holy Resurrection on March 12, 2026 at 9:30 AM, with Interment immediately following at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Aspen Hill, Maryland. Following burial services, a Repast will be held at Holy Resurrection Church Hall in honor of Irene. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church (10201 Democracy Blvd Potomac, MD 20854) or to Casey House Montgomery Hospice (6001 Muncaster Mill Road Rockville, MD 20855)