On 6 December 1917 (date from her US residence record) Irene Rose Colwell was born to Frederick and Jane Colwell. Her birth in Birkenhead was registered in Q1 1918.

In Q4 1943 the marriage of Irene Rose Colwell and Oliver Gilbert Hesselgren Jr in Birkenhead was registered.

Oliver was born on 10 November 1918 in Indiana (date from his US residence record).

She arrived in New York on 13 March 1946 on the Queen Mary, aged 28.

On 15 March 1947 Oliver G. Hesselgren III was born.

On 22 June 1949, Oliver G. Hesselgren III died at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles from Acute Lymphatic Leukemia. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. Oliver and Irene were living at 4356 Bel Air Drive, La Cañada, Flintridge, California.

On 25 June 1951 Irene arrived in New York on a Pan American flight from London, accompanied by her son Richard.

Between 30 June 1972 and 1 January 2009, she and Oliver were recorded as residing in Oklahoma City 73112.

As can be seen from the obituaries, they had three children after Oliver, Richard, Chris and Hilary.

Oliver’s father died in 1961.

The death of Irene Rose Hesselgren aged 91 on 24 November 2009 in Oklahoma City is commemorated on findagrave.com, including her middle name Rose, her birth name and date, and a photograph.

The death of Oliver Gilbert Hesselgren aged 97 on 14 July 2016 in Oklahoma City is also commemorated on findagrave.com, again including a photograph.

Here’s Irene’s obituary:

Irene Rose Hesselgren, age 91, of OKC, was born December 6, 1917 in Birkenhead, England, to Fredrick and Jane (Waller) Colwell. She died November 24, 2009. She met her husband, Oliver, in England while he was serving in WWII, and the love affair began. They were married October 16, 1943. They returned to USA following the war.

She had a zest for life unmatched by others. She loved to dance, entertain, her Yoga, exercising, drinking tea, champagne and martinis, playing poker and slot machines and world travel anywhere, anytime, where any family member wanted to go. She was vivacious and loved life, making everything special for her family and friends.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Oliver; 2 sons, Richard and wife Vicky, Chris and wife Marilyn; daughter, Hilary and husband Gregg Transeau; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and her extended family in England who loved her dearly.

She was preceded in death by a son, Baby Oliver; 3 sisters and 2 brothers. Services – Sat., Nov. 28th, at Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel, followed by a reception, also at the funeral home. Published in The Oklahoman on November 26, 2009.

And this is Oliver’s:

OKLAHOMA CITY
Hesselgren, Oliver Gilbert Jr., 97, oil and gas engineer, died July 14. Services pending (Buchanan, Oklahoma City). Published in The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Friday, July 15, 2016, Page 8A.

OKLAHOMA CITY
Hesselgren, Oliver Gilbert Jr., 97, oil and gas engineer, died July 14. Celebration of life 1 p.m. Sunday (Buchanan, Oklahoma City). Published in The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Saturday, July 16, 2016, Page 8A.

OKLAHOMA CITY
The morning of July 14, 2016, we lost a great man! Not only a great father of three, grandfather of ten, great-grandfather of 17, and great-great- of one … but a great friend, gentle soul, and an Army officer of WWII … I know your struggle has been long, but you are in heaven now with Grandma Irene (together for 66 years)! I know you missed her something fierce. We will miss you something fierce as well. Rest easy grandpa! We all love you very very much Mr. Oliver Hesselgren! Published in The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Saturday, July 16, 2016, Page 8A.

Oliver & Irene Rose Colwell were married in Cheshire, England. She came to the United States with her new husband and received her naturalization papers July 13, 1951 in California.