Dr. Irene Durand Bryan, of Acton, MA died on January 23, 2023, the victim of a hit and run at the foot of her driveway. She was a licensed psychologist and Core Energetics therapist, with offices in Concord and Lowell, MA.

Irene was born in London, England in 1956, where her father was posted with the Venezuelan Navy. She grew up in Caracas, entering Universidad Católica Andrés Bello at the age of 16 and concluding intensive study in psychology with a doctorate in 1977. She came that year to intern at Boston City Hospital, under a Boston University program now called the Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology. Following internship, she worked in community clinics and provided counseling services in the Massachusetts correctional system. She met Joseph Bryan through his sibling, who was a student of Irene's when she taught psychological testing at Cambridge College. They were married in Boston in 1985 and later lived in Arkansas and Connecticut. Irene was trained in Core Energetics through its Institute in New York City, founded by Dr. John Pierrakos, and she remained a practitioner, instructor and member of the international Core community for the rest of her days. She moved with her husband and three daughters to Acton in 2005, but lost her oldest Elia in 2010. She worked in public clinics serving minority populations, provided psychological screening for candidates in municipal police and fire departments in the region, and later moved fully into private practice.

Irene is survived by Joe, her husband of 37 years, her daughters Dr. Gisela Bryan of Miami, FL and Josephine Bryan of Evanston, IL, two sisters and a brother, and a large extended family. She was a gifted psychologist, a playful and amusing companion, generous especially to people in need, the founder of many feasts, a wellspring of compassion and vigorous in her purpose. She was a source of beauty in the world and a conduit of grace. The arms of heaven shall envelop her.

Family and friends are welcome to gather for her funeral service on Saturday, January 28th at 11 am in the Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Road, Acton, MA. A reception will immediately follow in the church hall. To attend the service remotely via church livestream, please click here.

For those interested, donations in lieu of flowers (much as she loved them) may be made in Irene's name to the International Association of Core Energetics, to be used for scholarships for advanced training. Dr. Ken Goldberg serves as Administrator and can accept Venmo at ken-goldberg-15, or PayPal at nwpce1@gmail.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.