Obituary of Mary Rose Quirk

Mary Rose Quirk (Ginty) passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on August 19, 2024. Mary Rose was born in Lockport NY on March 21, 1930. She was the youngest daughter of Harry and Margaret (Larkin) Ginty. Mary Rose grew up on East Avenue in Lockport with her brothers Robert (Bob), Harry Jr.(Hank), James (Jim) and Alfred (Al) Ginty and her sister Dorothy Barhite Newman, all of whom  predeceased her.

Mary Rose attended primary school at St. John the Baptist. She graduated from Lockport High School in 1948. She attended Sisters of Charity School of Nursing and completed her nursing training in 1951. Her long working career included staff nurse positions at both Lockport Memorial Hospital and Newfane Intercommunity Hospital.  She served as a long-term care supervisor at Briody’s Nursing home and at the Odd Fellows & Rebekah home.  Returning to college in the 1980’s, she completed a B.S. in Communication from Canisius College and added a Certification of Gerontology in 1991, an area of health care that she was dedicated to for most of her life.

Mary Rose married James T. Quirk of Bradford, PA in 1953 and together they raised nine children. She is survived by eight of her children: Molly E.  (Mike) of Rochester,  Joseph P. (Jennifer) of Longview WA, James F. of Lockport, Robert W. (Jackie) of Colorado Springs CO, Joanne P. of Lafayette CO, Peter J. of Pembroke Pines FL, Anne Pollock (Kevin) of Lockport, and Jacqueline Kelley (Kevin) of Bethesda MD. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.   Mary Rose was the proud grandmother of 21 and great-grandmother of 9.  Mary Rose was predeceased by her husband James in 1982, and her beloved daughter, Kathleen, in 2018.  

Mary Rose dedicated her life to the service of others. She was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Church, and served in the Altar and Rosary Society, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Legion of Mary and she was a Eucharistic Minister.  She taught CCD classes for many years and was an active volunteer at the food pantry.  In the 1960s, Mary Rose was instrumental in efforts to support and assist migrant families at Marian House in Waterport, NY.  She spearheaded clothing and food drives and coordinated volunteers to assist needy families that came to the center.   She went on to initiate fundraising and publicity and organized an auxiliary, prior to joining its Board of Directors in 1970.

As an avid supporter of the arts, Mary Rose joined the Kenan Arts Council and along with many of her friends, attended numerous area art shows and music concerts.  She accepted the role as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Dale Association in Lockport.  Additionally, she joined the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, and served two terms as President of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.  In her later years, she spent her free time volunteering and ministering to others through holiday gift giving, clothing and food drives.  She advocated strongly for those who needed support in their daily lives.   

Mary Rose was a gifted pianist and played music by ear.  She was an energizing song-fest leader at pre-schools, senior events and nursing homes. She organized a roving band of senior entertainers, “The Bag Ladies”, that brought comic relief and joy to many gatherings. Mary Rose loved parties and never passed up the opportunity to “bring one to life”.  Her Irish heritage was always front and center in her love of its comedy, music and literary traditions.  As a writer and journalist, both personally and professionally, she wrote the “Senior Spotlight” column for the Lockport US&J for many years.

Mary Rose was an avid reader and participated in several book clubs throughout her life. She was intellectually curious and loved meeting new people. She also enjoyed traveling and frequently visited her far-flung family in many places in the U.S., including trips to Europe and to the Caribbean. She also enjoyed spending time and hosting festive gatherings at the Quirk cottage on the shores of Lake Ontario.  

The family will receive friends at the Prudden & Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St., Lockport on Thursday, August 22 from 4 pm – 8 pm. A Celebration of Life Mass will take place on Friday August 23^rd at St. John the Baptist Church, 168 Chestnut Street, Lockport at 10 AM. All friends and family are welcome.  Memorial donations to Sister Helen's Food Pantry, 168 Chestnut St., Lockport, NY 14094 would be appreciated by the family.  Donate to St. John's Sister Helen's Food Pantry.