Politics & Government

San Rafael Fire Stations Fly Flags at Half-Staff in Memory of Late Commissioner Irwin

Mary Ellen Irwin, who was a fire commissioner in San Rafael for 16 years, died March 14 at the age of 80.

San Rafael Mayor Gary Phillips approved a request to lower all U.S. Flags to half-staff at San Rafael Fire Stations on Saturday, March 23 to honor late Fire Commission Mary Ellen Irwin, according to Fire Chief Chris Gray.

The flags will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset, Gray said. 

Irwin died at her San Rafael home on March 14. She was 80.

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According to an obituary published in the Marin Independent Journal, Irwin was a fire commissioner for the City of San Rafael for 16 years, focusing on wildfire prevention with most of the local neighborhood associations. In 1997 she was appointed President of FireSafe Marin, assisting in countywide training programs on wildfire education and prevention.

A fifth generation Californian, Irwin is survived by her husband of more than 57 years, Robert Duncan Irwin, her two sons Mark, 52 and Paul, 49, and four grandchildren. A viewing was held at Mt. Tamalpais Mortuary Chapel at 2500 5th Ave. in San Rafael on Friday, March 22. An informal outdoor memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 23, at the Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery, 2500 5th Ave., followed by a memorial celebration of her life at the San Rafael Main Fire Station at 5th Ave and C Street.

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In lieu of flowers her family asks that memorial donations be made in her memory to The Alzheimer's Association 4340 Redwood Hwy. Suite D-314, San Rafael, CA 94903-2041. Please call 415-459-2500 for directions to Mt. Tamalpais Mortuary and Cemetery. The Irwin family wishes to express heartfelt thanks for the outstanding care given by the staff of Heartland Hospice.

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