WILMINGTON — Our beloved Tish passed away peacefully on October 5, 2026, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice after a four year, no holds barred, going to war, fight with Cancer. Tish was the youngest child of the late Joseph and Rosemary Irwin. She was born on April 2, 1962, in West Nyack, New York, attending West Nyack Elementary School. At nine years old, her father was transferred to suburban Pittsburgh, Pa., where Tish attended St. Louise De Marillac, and then on to Bethel Park High School.
It was during that time in Pittsburgh that Tish caught the sports bug, owing in no small part to living in a sports-crazy town! Being the younger sister to two older brothers meant learning to run fly patterns down the length of the side yard without complaining, and with the expectation that yes, you WILL come up with the ball. It meant learning to catch and throw a softball, her first set of ski’s, first skateboard, winter afternoons with a hockey stick and skates over her shoulder, walking to a neighbor’s backyard rink to practice. By the time she got to Bethel Park HS, she was throwing javelin on the track team and quarterbacking her Junior class team against the Senior girls in the annual “Powder Puff” football game (which they won).
After eight years in Pittsburgh, Tish’s father was transferred again, this time to Wilmington, NC. She left her many good friends in Bethel Park at the end of that summer and walked into Laney High School that fall as a senior.
Tish graduated from Laney High School and then went on to graduate with her B.A. degree from UNC Chapel Hill, with a double major in English and Political Science.
Following graduation, she landed a position with the CA Reed Company as an Account Executive, travelling throughout the United States.
It was around this time that she met the guy who would go from being a really good friend, to being the man of her dreams, her ‘ride or die’, her sounding board, her confidant, the guy who would stand with her through good times and bad, through sickness and health…
Tish and Steve were married in 1988 at St. Mark Catholic Church, and spent the next few years enjoying a constantly growing circle of close friends.
As a group, they would travel to various beach resorts, where the guys would scuba dive, and Tish and her gang would explore the best island restaurants and watering holes for that evening’s dinner festivities.
When the Beach Volleyball craze swept the country in the early 90’s, Tish found herself in exactly the right place, at exactly the right time, and with exactly the right band of compadres to immerse herself in this new athletic pursuit. Trips to island destinations now included packing a beach volleyball. Impromptu games would inevitably develop with other resort guests, resort staff, parking attendants, it really didn’t matter as long as they were playing this new sport that she loved. She and her gang could be found playing and competing just about anywhere there was sand and a net, and if there wasn’t already a net set up, they travelled with their own portable net system. Favorite locations were Wrightsville Beach, The Pits, Fort Fisher, Masonboro Island, and UNCW. The sand courts at Capt’n Bill’s became almost a second home to this close-knit band of friends. Tish carried this mindset for every new sport she played. Whether it was volleyball, tennis, or her most recent love, pickleball. As long as there were friends and competition at hand, she could always be found having a great time with a smile on her face.
But sand volleyball and travel destinations gave way to Tish’s most amazing life adventure with the birth of her first child, Anna, and later the birth of her son, Christopher, and then the tie-break, Abigail. Tish traded in her sport’s gear bag for a diaper bag, and never looked back. She transitioned her love for playing and competing to being the sports mom for her three kids.
It was also during this time that Tish accepted a position as a Teacher’s Assistant, a position which gave her the opportunity to provide one-on-one support to kids. As with most things, she was passionate with this endeavor, and often used her love (and knowledge) of various sports, teams, and players as a bridge of connection. It was not unusual to hear her ‘talking up’ her beloved Pittsburgh Steelers or Carolina Tarheels. The NCAA basketball tournament brackets just gave her another opportunity to engage her kids in friendly banter and conversation. Without a doubt, next to her time as a devoted mom, her time spent as a Teaching Assistant was her true calling. And still, above it all, she will be remembered for her fierce and lifelong Catholic faith.
Tish is survived by her best friend and devoted husband of 38 years, Steve, her children, Anna, Christopher, and Abigail, and her three beloved dogs. Oldest brother Joseph and his wife Eileen, Bethel Park, Pa. Brother James, Charlotte, NC. Niece Kaitlin Irwin Vacca and her husband Deric, Cannonsburg, Pa. Nephew Joseph “Murphy” Irwin 1989-2009. Nephew Dakota Irwin and his wife Sarah Beth, Charlotte, NC.
Mother-in-law Ann Baker. Brother-in-law Daren and his wife Donna. Brother-in-law Phillip Baker. Brother-in-law Glenn Baker and his wife Lee Ann. Nephews Nicholas and Matthew. Also, many Great-Nieces and Nephews. Best Friend and “Pancho” to Tish’s “Cisco Kid”: Natalie Boehling. Numerous cousins, family, and friends living in New York. Numerous friends, extended family, and classmates living in Pittsburgh.
Numerous friends, family, and colleagues living in Wilmington, NC.
Although Tish is no longer by our side, she will forever be part of our lives: in family stories, cherished traditions, shopping, pickleball games, and countless moments that bring a smile through tears. Tish’s absence will be dearly felt, but the love she gave will never be lost.
The family would like to thank the staff at Lower Cape Fear Hospice, Novant Health, and UNC Chapel Hill Cancer Center.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Flunk Cancer.
A Mass of Christian burial will be at St. Therese Catholic Church, Wilmington NC on Saturday October 17 at 11 AM with a Celebration of Life reception immediately following in the parish center next to the Church.
