Irene Beverly (Larsen) Negedly

March 26, 1945 – May 27, 2022 (age 77)

Irene Beverly Larsen Negedly, longtime resident of Edgewater, died peacefully Friday, May 27, 2022, at Port Orange Nursing Center. Born in Staten Island, New York to Thorvald and Bertha Skogen Larsen, Irene spent her early years in New York, graduating from Tottenville High School in 1963 and landing her first job as a secretary on Wall Street. She married George Negedly in 1964, and in 1965 the young couple moved to Edgewater where they raised four sons and became very active in the growing community. For many years, Irene was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Edgewater Volunteer Fire Department, helping with events such as the annual auction and 4^th of July celebration and directing the Little Miss and Master Edgewater contest.

Irene was a licensed real estate agent and experienced success selling houses when she wasn’t busy with her boys and their activities. Next to her faith in God, Irene’s greatest commitment was to her family. She was a reliable presence at every game and band concert, she organized class parties, chaperoned field trips, and co-directed the first New Smyrna Beach High School Project Graduation in 1987. If something was important to her sons, it became important to Irene. She took pride in knowing the names of their friends and never stopped asking how those friends were doing—long after her boys’ childhood buddies grew up to have children of their own.

Irene was a committed Christian who loved the Lord with all her heart. She was a member of Edgewater Alliance Church, holding many roles including church secretary and head deaconess, a task she was especially well-suited for given her love for cooking and serving large meals. Though she loved her family most of all, Irene also loved cruises, going out to eat, trips to Walt Disney World, gospel music, Scrabble, and shopping! She kept the number for QVC on speed dial, and delivery trucks could be spotted in her driveway decades before at-home shopping became commonplace.  

In 1980, Irene designed and served as the contractor for the building of her ideal house at 1886 South Air Park Road, a home she and her husband shared for 39 years, regularly hosting meals, holiday gatherings, and pool parties for family and friends. Irene’s meals were legendary, with an abundance of delicious dishes and a warm welcome for all who visited. She lived by the philosophy that “there’s always room for one more,” and she thoroughly enjoyed having her table overflowing with people, food, and laughter.

Irene was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and an exceptionally proud grandmother and great-grandmother. She was cheerful and talkative, often meeting new people and learning their life stories within the first conversation. She had a big, beautiful smile that brought sunshine to all, including the caregivers who assisted in her final years.

Irene is survived by two sons and their wives, Billy and Linda Negedly of Daytona Beach and Steven and Erica Negedly of Edgewater; two daughters-in-law, Joely Negedly of New Smyrna Beach and Jill Negedly of DeLand; seven grandchildren, Sean, Nicole (and husband Matt), Jacob, Kayla, Grayson, Brooke, and Luke; one great-grandson, Michael; her sister, Linda Howard, sister-in-law Doris Cosmich (and husband John); and many special nieces and nephews. Irene was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, George Negedly, and two beloved sons, Bobby and Matthew.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday, June 22, at 10 a.m. at Sea Pines Memorial Gardens. In addition, a special celebration of life honoring both Irene and her late husband George will take place June 22 at 6 p.m. at the Brannon Center in New Smyrna Beach.

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