Julia Irene, the daughter of Charles Simeon and Lucy Delphine (Hayden) Hayden, was born October 22, 1912, in Sutherland, Kentucky, outside Owensboro. Her faith journey began with baptism in St. Anthony Church, Browns Valley the next day. She received her education, first grade through eleventh grade at St. Anthony School in Browns Valley. Her senior year was spent at the Mount Saint Joseph Academy. On September 8, 1930, Julia Irene entered the novitiate at Mount Saint Joseph. On March 19, 1931, she received the Ursuline habit and the name, Sister Charles Irene.
She was assigned as music teacher to Paul, and Nebraska City, Nebraska; Waterflow, New Mexico; in Kentucky at St. Francis and Fredericktown, and St. Charles, Lebanon. In 1954, Sister began classroom teaching in grades five and six at Hodgenville, Owensboro (Blessed Mother), and at Loretto (St. Francis where she taught music, was principal and local superior).
During the years of the mid and late 1960s, the agenda of Vatican Council II became a guide for the way women religious would look to the future. The winds of change, the work of renewal, and the experimentation in religious life brought confusion and conflict to many. This was true for Sister Charles Irene. On July 2, 1970, she sought and received a dispensation from her vows. Julia Irene (Ms. Hayden) ministered as a teacher of grade six at Sacred Heart School in Jeffersonville, Indiana. In 1979, Julia Irene requested to begin the process of reentry into the community of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. During that school year, she taught at St. Bernard in Louisville. July 20, 1980, Julia Irene professed perpetual vows and once again became a member of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph as Sister Charles Irene.
From 1980 to 1994, Sister Charles Irene lived St. Angela Home in Louisville, teaching in the St. Angela Education Center and serving as treasurer. She also assisted in the care of her brother, Father Wilfrid Hayden, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville. Sister Charles Irene was appointed local community treasurer at the Motherhouse in 1994.
Sister Charles Irene retired in 2000. On Sunday, October 12, 2003, Sister suffered a severe stroke. As she lingered, the infirmary nursing staff, the Sisters, many family members and personal friends gave her loving care. During mid-morning hours on October 22, 2003, her 91st birthday, the angel of death came for her. Father Joseph Mills, chaplain, celebrated the funeral Mass. Nieces and nephews participated in the funeral liturgy as cantors, lectors, and pallbearers. Sister Charles Irene’s remains are buried in the convent cemetery. She was preceded in death by her sister, Sister Mary Wilfrid and her priest brother, Father Wilfrid Hayden.