Irene B. Santos Pelicas, age 90, of Canton, Georgia passed away on June 11, 2026 surrounded by her loving daughters. She was born on September 16, 1935 in Danbury, Connecticut to Francelina and Antonio Santos. She was preceded in death by her siblings Mary Petrella, Alice Marques, and Arthur Santos.

Irene leaves us with heartfelt memories of her welcoming nature. The door to her home was always open willing to help anyone who showed up. Food was a comfort to all who sat at her table. Irene was a mother figure to many family members and neighborhood children. Her house was always the central point for family picnics, niece and nephew sleepovers, and an abundance of delicious home cooked meals that will never be forgotten.

Irene was married to Arthur N. Pelicas for over 60 years. He passed away April 21, 2021.

Irene and Arthur settled in Canton, Georgia to be near their youngest daughter and three granddaughters. They built a life in Canton surrounded by the love of their granddaughters who kept them busy with school sports and after school homemade snacks. Many days, the girls would take the bus directly to their grandparent's house to enjoy whatever Irene was cooking up in the kitchen that day. Irene and Arthur had a peach tree in their yard that year after year abundantly grew peaches. Irene would happily bake peach cobbler pies for all of her friends and neighbors.

In her final years, Irene received exceptional care from her youngest daughter, Debra DiBiccari and her family. She lived in an in-laws apartment in their home. She was lucky enough to enjoy the heartbeat of the household... watching action movies with her son-in-law, watching the Bachelor/Bachelorette with her granddaughter Olivia, eagerly waiting week to week to see who would be sent home, cooking with her granddaughter Julia, who inherited hundreds of Irene's recipes, and sharing the love of her granddaughter Victoria's newborn, Willow, who Irene was able to recently celebrate Willow's first birthday with.

She is survived by her daughter Cynthia Scherpf (Joseph), Debra DiBiccari (Lawrence), grandchildren Stephanie Scherpf, Christina Scherpf-Grady (James), Victoria DiBiccari-Owens (Devin), Olivia DiBiccari, Julia DiBiccari, and great grandchildren Joy Grady, Flora Grady, Kayson Owens, and Willow Owens.

A private burial service will be held at the Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Veterans Cemetery Rd Canton, GA 30114 on July 13, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to your local Hospice - End of Live agency.

The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ms. Irene Bernadette Santos Pelicas.