An important member of the West community died unexpectedly on March 4.
Mimi Montgomery Irwin, the woman behind The Village Bakery, died at the age of 74. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine her cause of death.
A sign reading "closed until further notice" is posted on the front door of the bakery, hurting visitors and friends of Mimi's who pass by.
"Just very, very sad. I've stopped here ever since I was a kid," said Bruce Roberts of Sulfur Springs, who stopped by the bakery on his way to San Antonio. "Every time I drive through, I stop here. This is the best bakery in the world."
Wilburn Willis, a friend of Mimi's, said there are many people like Roberts who stop by throughout the day.
"There are people that come by all the time here," Willis said. "Mimi was known all over the United States and all over the world."
Mimi's parents opened The Village Bakery in 1952. It's the oldest Czech bakery in Texas. When Mimi took over the business, her smile and kind heart spread across the community.
"We had our first coffee with a cop here at The Village Bakery," said West Police Department Chief Darryl Barton. "She was proud to host it, giving away free kolaches and coffee. In fact, before she passed away I saw her about a week ago and she says 'Darryl we've got to have another coffee with a cop.'"
The people who knew Mimi personally said she was more than just a baker. She was a friend to all and would jump at the opportunity to help someone in need.
"She was always there to lend a helping hand, put on an apron, do whatever she had to do," Barton said.
"She was going and doing and baking, doing for others and not for herself," said Jackie Denney, Mimi's friend. "When I started the city garden, I was going around begging for money to help us get started and Mimi gave me $60 without even asking, she heard I was looking for money."
Mimi also believed in giving back. During her spare time, she would volunteer or donate food to worthy causes in town.
"She thought of other people. She's just a true, good person," Willis said. "There's a lot of others who have known her longer than I have, but I think everyone's sentiments will be the same. We're going to miss her."
Wilburn said the community of West will keep Mimi's legacy alive by being kind to one another.
"She would just want people to help other people," Willis said. "That's the main thing."
While they cope with the loss of one of their best and brightest.
"The first thing you do when you see someone is hug them because we're hugging for Mimi," Denney said.
Mimi's family will receive visitors from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 12. A memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m. on March 13 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West.
In lieu of flowers, her family is asking that memorials be made to the West Museum, the West Volunteer Ambulance Association, St. Mary's School Wish List or the W.R. Pogue Legislative Library at Baylor University.
You are invited to share your thoughts and memories of Mimi in Aderhol Funeral Home's memorial guest book here.
