Doctor Irene del Corral was born in New York City on October 19, 1929. An only child to Louis Ovacek of Skalice, Czech Republic, and Margaret Nemecsek of Ppa, Hungary.Irene graduated Suma Cum Laude with a degree in Spanish from Hunter College in 1950, and was a member of Phi Beta Kapa. She was a gifted artist who as a child enjoyed roller and ice skating in New York City.She moved to Mexico City in 1959 to work as an executive assistant, and was a trailblazer for professional women in Mexico where she met and married Attorney Josedel Corral Diego Fernandez.In 1979 she returned to the USA with her family and moved to Richardson TX. Dr. del Corral enjoyed languages, and was fluent in English, Spanish, French, German and Hebrew. She also studied Russian and Japanese. Irene was a world traveler. She had fond memories of the many travels she shared with her best friend Rita Coll. She loved Mexico and had an opportunity to visit many of the countrys beautiful states. For the past 10 years she cherished vacationing annually in Cancun Mexico with her family.Irene was a professor of Spanish at Southern Methodist University and Richland College. In 1986 she translated Lightning of August by renowned Mexican author Jorge Ibargengoitia. In 1992 she translated Octavio Paz Translation: Literature and Letters for the Theories of Translation: An Anthology of Essays from Dreyden to Derrida. Among other works, she also translated the poem featured in the film Ribbon Around the Bomb about Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.She received her Master in Humanities degree from the University of Texas at Dallas, and in 1994, she earned her Doctorate of Philosophy in the Humanities (Major studies in Literature) also from UTD.Irene was an avid reader, and a follower of political news. Crossword and puzzle extraordinaire, she enjoyed all activities and hobbies that challenged the mind. She was a master knitter.Irene was elegant in her person and in her speech. The ultimate no-nonsense lady who always respected her loved ones' opinions. She was a most present and supportive mother and grandmother. A woman of few words but strong opinions. Incredibly smart, with a kind and quiet disposition. She never stopped learning.Irene passed away peacefully on November 16, 2015. She is survived by her loving children Irene Isabel and Jose Luis, grand children Alexander and Abigail, and her life-long friend Rita (Riki) Coll of St Thomas VI.A memorial service is scheduled for December 12th, 2015 in New York City.She taught us all humility, grace, confidence. She will be greatly missed.