Irene G. Capes, former caretaker of the Jason Russell House at the Arlington Historical Society, died Jan. 22 in St. Paul, Minn. She had  celebrated her 90th birthday last November. Richard A. Duffy, vice president of the historical society, posted the following to the Arlington e-mail list Jan. 24.

Mrs. Capes came to the Society with her late husband, George Capes, in 1944. She retired after 60 years of service in 2004. and moved to St. Paul, Minn., to live near her only child, Nelson Capes, who was brought up in the caretaker's cottage at the Russell House.

Mrs. Capes was beloved by generations of Arlingtonians, many of whom will remember her from their first visit to the Jason Russell House as young children on school field trips. In her later years, some of the children concluded that this elderly lady showing them around the place must be none other than Mrs. Jason Russell herself!

During her years at the Society, Mrs. Capes demonstrated both an unfailing sunny disposition and a true dedication to duty.  She witnessed much growth and change over her six decades of service.  When she and Mr. Capes arrived in 1944, the Jason Russell House was almost entirely hidden from the street, surrounded on the front and sides by three large houses and a variety store.

 In the early 1960s, these structures were removed to restore the Revolutionary War battlefield, whereupon the Capes family found themselves not only with fewer neighbors, but living in the midst of a truly iconic Arlington scene.

Mrs. Capes has been greatly missed since her retirement, and her contributions to Arlington are remembered with much joy and appreciation.

Services are planned for this coming Monday, January 28. 

Patricia Worden reported funeral arrangements:

Visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 at the First Baptist Church, Funeral with  service starting at 11:00 at the FBC. Burial to follow at Mt Pleasant Cemetery and reception after that at Arlington Historical Society, starting between 12:30 and 1:00 at the Smith Museum.

St. Paul newspaper obituary

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