Irenaeus Olivier Jordan

Irenaeus Marlene Olivier Jordan passed away in Dickinson, TX surrounded by her family on July 4, 2026. She was the only girl born to Thomas Wickliff Olivier and Olga Guidry Olivier on January 31, 1940, in Galveston, Texas. She attended Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary School and because of pervasive segregation rules that prevailed during those years, she was unable to continue her education in a catholic high school. So, she went on to attend and graduate from Central High School with the Bearcats Class of 1957.

In the early 1960s, she met the love of her life, Emmett L. Jordan. Despite their instant connection, their path to marriage was not simple. Emmett was not Catholic, and at the time, church rulings prevented them from marrying. Determined to build a life together, they embarked on extensive research, reflection, and a religious conversion that allowed them to wed. On December 10, 1966, they were united in marriage; a partnership grounded in determination and devotion. Their union blessed them with two children, Marlon and Mauri, who became the heart of their shared life.

In 1972 she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas Southern University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and three years later she earned a master’s degree in education, also from TSU. 

She was a lifetime member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church which later became a part of Holy Family Parish. She became a certified Religious Education teacher and worked for over 25 years teaching the Catholic faith to children and adults at Holy Rosary Church. She made history in the late 1950s when she became the first lay teacher to serve at Holy Rosary School. She teamed up with the Holy Family Sisters and became part of their teaching staff for 7 years, having taught Kindergarten for one year and second grade for 6 years; a venture she loved dearly. 

As a veteran lector herself at Holy Rosary Church, she became coordinator of that ministry for many years while also serving as president of the Pastoral Council for 15 years during the 1980’s and 1990’s. 

Irenaeus also worked as a second-grade teacher and team leader in the Galveston Independent School District at Island Elementary School (currently Parker Elementary School), for 30 years before retiring in 2002 to care for her husband Emmett Jordan, Sr. who had developed Alzheimer’s disease. 

After her retirement and the death of her husband, she was asked to serve on the board for Holy Family Catholic School, which she did with much pride and dedication. 

She was a former member of the Laubach Literacy Action and was a certified adult tutor. She volunteered for many years teaching adults to read. She was a longtime member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Saint Peter Claver, Madonna Court #20. Holy Rosary Church was very dear to her throughout her life. She loved her Catholic faith dearly and tried to live it as best she could. 

Irenaeus was preceded in death by her parents Thomas Wickliff Olivier and Olga Guidry Olivier, her husband of 48 years, Emmett L. Jordan Sr., three brothers, Thomas J. Olivier, Gene H. Olivier, and Charles S. Olivier. She is survived by her children Marlon L. Jordan of Dickinson, TX and Mauri J. Thomas of Richmond Texas, her grandchildren Quinetta Thomas (Marcus), Jazmin Jordan, Madison Bodwin, her great-grandchildren, Caleb Thomas and Jahkarri LeBlanc, as well as many nieces and nephews.

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