Mary Burns Kirk

Obituary Mary Burns Kirk Mary was born on April 19, 1936, in Hempstead, NY and departed on March 6, 2014 lovingly surrounded by her daughters and sons. She was the second of six children raised by Paul and Irene Burns in an Army family, with assignments that included West Point, Presidio, Munich and the Philippines where she graduated from high school. On July 14, 1956 she married the love of her life, John Kirk, at West Point and they set off on a life of love, romance, adventure, and service that took them to 17 duty stations around the U.S. and Germany before retiring in Steilacoom and Lakewood Washington. Mary loved traveling our great country by car with John and family, camping, fishing, and making lunches on the tailgate of the family station wagon. She was in awe of the beauty, vast expanses, grandeur, and people; but Oregon, with its rocky coastline, crashing waves, agates and driftwood drew her back year after year to walk the beaches. She was an extraordinary gardener, passionate golfer, seamstress, and baker. She enjoyed meeting new people, treasured her friendships, and was a gracious hostess to all. Mary, always an optimist, was quick with her smile and laughter. Her generous, kind and engaging personality made everyone feel significant and included. By far her greatest joy was being with her family. Mary was the strength and center whose selfless devotion to her husband, children, and grandchildren always created a strong sense of family and home, no matter the occasion or location. At the center of Mary's life was her Catholic faith. Her experience was profound and in it she found peace, trust, fortitude, and love that sustained and enriched her life. She was beautiful, elegant, simple, tenacious, forgiving, abundant in faith, and imbued with grace. Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 56 years, Brigadier General (Retired) John M. Kirk; her parents, Colonel (Ret.) Paul Burns and wife Irene; sister, Barbara (Colonel [Ret.] Chuck) Hayward; and brother, Michael Burns. Mary is also survived by her children: son, Duncan (Donna) Kirk; daughter, Stacy (Russ) Moore; son, Malcolm (Ann) Kirk; daughter, Suzanne (Lt. Colonel [Ret.] Dan) Hendrickson; six grandchildren, Kendall (Justin), Bryce, John, David, Kelsey, Gabe; two great grandchildren, Kallie, and Branden; brothers, Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Robert (Nancy) Burns, Paul (Fran) Burns, Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Mark (Jean) Burns; and brother-in-law, Charlie (Alexandra) Kirk. Thank you for your courage, example, and love. We love you. You will be missed until we see you again. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 11, 2014 at 11:00am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 10508 - 112th Street SW, Steilacoom, WA. Interment at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Mary's honor be made to the Catholic Relief Services Emergency Relief Funds, www.crs.org/donate. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.