User:Buhari Johnson/sandbox

LATER LIFE AND DEATH
Irene Broe gave birth to her son Shane McDonnell in 1961. Two years after this she spent some time working in Malaysia, with her husband who worked there as a biochemist. She was commissioned by the National Union of Plantation Workers to make a bust of then Prime Minister Tengku Abdul Rahman. While she was there, she campaigned for the building of an art school as she believed that the country had a lot of artistic talent. Broe was quoted in a newspaper saying “there is ample artistic talent in this country and a college is needed because here young artists can train and specialize their skill. They can later spread their knowledge throughout the country”.

The few years following her time making the bust of the Prime Minister of Malaysia were most definitely some of the tougher years of her life. As in 1965 her father Leo Broe, who was also sculptor and a member of the Irish Volunteers, unfortunately passed away. Following this, 3 years after the passing of her father, her brother Desmond Broe also passed away. His son Dimitri would go on to take over the family business.

Irene Broe passed away in St. Vincent's Hospital on the 27th of August in 1992 due to poor health. She was buried in Deansgrange cemetery in Dublin. She was succeeded by her son Shane, who then passed away two years after his mother in 1994. After her death in 1992, various pieces from her career have been auctioned. Keeping her name and career very much alive till this day. One of her most famous pieces of work is the statue of St. Valentine, which can be found in Whitefriar Street Church in Dublin. Following her death in 1992 the statue remains a popular attraction for love seekers as St. Valentine's remains are also located near the statue created by Irene Broe.