Next week’s episodes of Home and Away deliver one of the most emotionally devastating chapters in the show’s long history, as Summer Bay prepares to say goodbye

to a true icon. After nearly two decades at the heart of the Pier Diner, Irene Roberts makes the heartbreaking decision to step away for good, handing

the business over to Leah Patterson-Baker in a moment that will leave viewers reaching for tissues.

At the center of this farewell is Irene’s recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis — a revelation that has quietly reshaped her entire world. What began as subtle concerns and uneasy moments has now been confirmed as a life-altering reality. Irene’s worst fears are realised when her consultant confirms the preliminary diagnosis previously suggested by Brie, following a lumbar puncture. The certainty of what lies ahead forces Irene to confront the future with brutal honesty, even as she struggles to hold onto the life she knows.

Returning from her appointment with her close friend Jean, Irene is struck by a moment that perfectly captures the cruelty of her condition. Surrounded by framed photographs lining her shelves — snapshots of friendships, love, laughter, and decades of shared history — Irene is overwhelmed by the knowledge that one day she may no longer recognise the faces staring back at her. In a quiet, devastating act of defiance, she removes each photograph from its frame and carefully writes names on the back, clinging to memories while she still can. Each picture becomes a reminder not just of what she has lived, but of what she stands to lose.

Initially, Irene chooses to keep her diagnosis a secret, hoping to preserve a sense of normality. However, this decision places immense strain on those closest to her. John struggles with the growing web of lies required to explain Irene’s behaviour, particularly as he pretends his anxiety stems from concern over an old Navy friend. Justin, ever perceptive, eventually sees through the cover story and realises the truth: it’s Irene who John is terrified of losing. When John finally confesses, the pair agree to keep Leah in the dark — at least until Irene is ready to face it herself.

But secrecy has a cost. Leah’s mounting concern and constant questions push Irene to breaking point. Trying desperately to maintain control, Irene lashes out, losing her temper and ordering Leah out of the beach house. It’s a moment that shocks both women, revealing just how frightened and overwhelmed Irene truly is. The following day, consumed by guilt and exhaustion, Irene finally tells Leah the truth. The confession is raw, painful, and impossible to undo.

Determined not to be defined by her diagnosis, Irene returns to the Pier Diner and insists on carrying on as usual. But cracks quickly appear. Panic sets in when she can’t remember whether she’s placed a stock order, and moments later, her trembling hands send plates crashing to the floor. Overwhelmed, Irene breaks down. During a quiet walk along Flat Beach, she admits to Leah what she’s been trying to avoid: it’s time to hang up her apron. She knows this disease will only progress, and she refuses to let the diner — a place built on care, precision, and routine — become another casualty.

Leah desperately searches for alternatives. Could Irene work fewer shifts? Take on a lighter role? Anything but walk away completely. But Irene’s mind is made up. She knows that denial will only lead to greater heartbreak later. Today will be her last day.

When Marilyn arrives at the diner, she instantly senses that something is wrong. Irene steels herself for yet another painful conversation. Upon hearing the truth, Marilyn is devastated, wracked with guilt for not realising sooner that her friend was struggling. When she asks what she can do, Irene makes a simple request: keep the diner running smoothly. It’s not just a business to Irene — it’s her legacy.

As Leah and Marilyn tearfully agree, Justin arrives and follows Leah into the storeroom, where she finally allows herself to cry. Saying the words out loud — that today is Irene’s last shift — makes the loss painfully real.

That evening, Irene closes the Pier Diner alone for the final time. As she moves through the space, memories flood back. The show takes viewers on an emotional journey through the diner’s history: the day Irene first opened the doors in May 2008, the community rallying around after the infamous mushroom poisoning of 2014, and countless everyday moments that defined life in Summer Bay. When Irene finally steps outside, locks the doors, and flips the sign to “Closed,” the weight of the moment nearly breaks her. But she chooses to smile, holding onto gratitude rather than grief.

The next morning marks Irene’s first official day of retirement. Leah arrives with a huge bouquet of flowers, determined to celebrate, even as the sadness lingers. She suggests Irene remain a silent partner in the business, but Irene refuses. She wants a clean break — no half-measures, no lingering attachments. Her resolve stuns Leah, especially when Irene reveals she wants to sell her share as soon as possible.

What follows is an even greater shock: Irene decides to gift her share of the diner to Leah outright. It’s a gesture rooted in love, trust, and a desire to protect Leah from financial strain. Both Leah and John are left speechless, urging Irene to reconsider. But Irene is unwavering. She knows what she wants — and what she needs — while she still has the clarity to choose.

Later, Irene returns to the Pier Diner once more — not as its owner, but as a customer. Marilyn shows her to a table, both women struggling to keep their composure. When Irene asks for a recommendation, Marilyn jokes that their best barista retired yesterday — a line that perfectly captures the heartbreak of the moment. Nothing feels right without Irene behind the counter.

As Irene shares breakfast with John and Justin, she calmly explains that her friends now know about her diagnosis and that she’s made peace with her decision. John gently suggests easing back rather than leaving entirely, but Irene refuses to compromise. Honesty, she insists, means accepting the reality of what’s ahead.

Irene’s departure marks the end of an era not just for the Pier Diner, but for Summer Bay itself. From her early days at the original Bayside Diner in the 1990s to the Pier Diner’s many reinventions, Irene has been a constant — a source of warmth, resilience, and community spirit. Her exit leaves a void that can never truly be filled.

As Home and Away turns the page on this chapter, viewers are left with a powerful reminder: some goodbyes aren’t loud or dramatic. Sometimes, they come quietly — with locked doors, fading memories, and the courage to let go before it’s too late.