By Lola Rossi-Meza
Former entertainer from the 1970s knows how valuable her help is to the many entertainers over the years. Cousin to the legendary Mahila Jackson, Irwin has helped liquidate the estates of Liberace, Stephen Wolf keyboardist, Woodie Putman, as well as many others and now including me, Lola Rossi.
Thanks to vocalist Elaina Beck who introduced us, Irwin is currently orchestrating an estate sale for me personally, by appraising my items and calling in the buyers. The sale is to take place in my home at 73-532 Terraza Drive in Palm Desert on Thursday, October 17, through Sunday, October 20, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. A very unusual column this week, but one I felt has merit, especially growing up with such a musical background.
Born in my “neck of the woods”, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and raised in Palo Alto, California, Irwin has four brothers and one sister. Her mother was a Registered Nurse and her father was a Doctor of Pathology at Stanford University Hospital in Palo Alto. As a child, she grew up singing in various gospel choirs. She attended Ravenswood Elementary School in Palo Alto, where she was a child prodigy in dance under Miss Jones. The family relocated to San Francisco, where she attended Balboa High School and studied choreography. After graduation, she attended De Anza College in Cupertino, California, near Santa Cruz, where she continued to study dance.
“Due to an unfortunate spinal injury,” said Irwin, “Dance was no longer my dream. So I decided to leave De Anza and attended the College For Appraisers in Brea, California, for two years.” There she began to learn all about appraising antiques collectibles, personal property and gemology. During this time, she met her husband, Robert Irwin, an annuity specialist and former Oakland Raider. They married on December 22, 1984 and moved to the Desert because of their business interests. On a personal note, Loving All Animals would really like them because they are big animal advocates, having seven beautiful dogs as part of their family.
After graduation, she became a member of the American Society of Estate Liquidators, ASEL, and along with her husband, opened an estate liquidation house in Desert Hot Springs. “Because we both had injuries over the years, we would travel to Desert Hot Springs to enjoy the healing waters at The Spa. We decided to move there and opened our business, Chocolates For Breakfast in Yucca Valley.” After four years of a successful business and very tired of the commute, they relocated to 66-420 Pierson Boulevard at Cactus in Desert Hot Springs with a new name, Affordable Liquidations. (760) 285-2925.
After my involvement with the Angel View Crippled Children’s Foundation’s history book project, this seems very ironic that they are just across the street from the first Angel View thrift store, where the unsold items will be donated. Try to stop by my home and see all the various collectibles, musical instruments, memorabilia and “one of a kind” unique items. You never know who may be there, Gloria’s husband and some of his friends are planning to drop by, see you there.
