Irene Elizabeth (Harris) Horte, 82, a resident of Norwell for 48 years, died with loving care at Westford House on Sunday, April 17 after prolonged illness. Wife of the late Chester G. Horte, she is survived by her daughters Deborah Leigh Horte of Groton MA, Lauren Horte of Abington, her son Thomas Horte of Quincy, her brother William Harris and nephew David Harris of Riverside, CA. She was predeceased by her elder brother Louis Harris and beloved son-in-law Robert A. Catlin. She was raised in Weymouth MA and graduated from Quincy City Hospital as an RN and worked there as head nurse of the pediatric ward at the apex of her career. In the early 1970's, Irene was a pioneering advocate for special needs education in the Norwell school system. She loved flowers, animals, train travel, music, crafts of many forms, and a wide circle of friends. With gratitude to loyal friends Margret Rietzl and Marie Viola of Norwell, John and Sandy Hawes of Marshfield, classmate and fellow RN Lt. Commander Helen Crenshaw of San Clemente CA, Charlene Kenyon of Whittier CA, and Attorney Annette Hines-Worthington of Natick. Visiting hour Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 10-11 am and a memorial at 11 am in McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 30 Central St. (off Rt. 123, near State Police Barracks), Norwell Center, followed by burial at Washington Street Cemetery. Donations in her memory to DeathWithDignity.org or a charity of your choice.