Irene Bolton, 90, sadly passed away days before Christmas. On Thursday night, a candlelight memorial service was held outside her old store in Mesquite.
MESQUITE, Texas — Irene Bolton, a beloved figure in Mesquite, Texas, has left a legacy that few can match.
With 28 years of dedicated service at Walmart, she became a fixture, a community pillar and, as customer Kathy Leos puts it, “the queen of the store.”
Memories, laughs and stories from between the aisles were shared Thursday night at a candlelight vigil outside Irene’s old store along US-80. Bolton sadly passed away days before Christmas.
A Walmart spokesperson told WFAA, “Miss Irene was a beloved member of the Walmart family for almost 30 years. She was always there to offer a kind word and a smile to everyone she met, and we’ll greatly miss her. We truly appreciate the Mesquite community coming together to honor someone who meant so much to us all.”
“She’s such a fixture here at this Walmart,” said Kathy Leos, reflecting the sentiment of many in the community.
Irene’s presence at the store was more than just a job; it was a bond with the customers and her coworkers. During her nearly 40-year career at Walmart, Catherine Jackson, a former employee, worked closely with Irene, and Pattie Phillips, another coworker, shared decades with her in her 30-plus years with the company.
“Everybody that came in the store made a friend,” said Phillips, highlighting Irene’s extraordinary ability to connect with people.
Customers and friends alike described Irene as someone who lit up the lives of those around her.
“If you ever want to know anything about Mesquite, ask about Ms. Irene,” said customer Fidel Sosa. “She was a big idol to us.” He continued, reflecting on her personality: “She dressed like she was going to a ballroom every time I saw her.”
Even young shoppers found her energy infectious. One child commented on Irene’s youthful spirit: “When it was Ms. Irene’s birthday, I told her she didn’t look a day over 21.”
Jackson noted her ability to uplift others: “She really brightened your day when you came in. She was glad to see you every time.”
Her unforgettable style often became the source of lighthearted conversations. A friend recalled: “I finally got up enough nerve to tell her, ‘You know, you dress like a wicked city woman. What are you doing up here in Walmart in Mesquite?’ She says, ‘I’m looking for me a rich man.’ I said, ‘Well, you better watch out. My mama’s looking for him, too.'”
But those closest to her said that Irene was more than her style and humor. She was a ball of fire and a fountain of memories for the many lives she touched.
Irene was an immigrant from Ireland who began working at Walmart later in life. Her family told WFAA that she worked in a cotton field in Ireland at a young age, raising money to live the American dream. She came to the States in the early 1950s, serving as a waitress at Piccadilly Circus along the way. Despite her tough upbringing, her dedication and charm left an indelible mark on everyone she met.
“I just know we got another angel looking over us in Mesquite,” said Fidel Sosa.