Mary O'Rourke

O'Rourke, Mary

Mary O'Rourke (O'Connor), age 72, died on November 16, 2013 after a tough battle against a long term illness. Mary was born in 1941 to Rita and David O'Connor in the Bronx. She was raised in the Bronx attending St. Francis of Rome School, and then moved on to attend St. Gabriel H.S. and the NY Foundling School of Nursing. Upon graduation, she worked attending to many babies and children at the Foundling Hospital. In 1964, she married Michael O'Rourke, and continued to raise her five children while living in the Bronx. In 1975, she packed up the family's station wagon and took her family to Lake Carmel. While living there, she taught CCD at St. James the Apostle and prepared countless second graders for their First Communion. She was also involved in coaching softball and occasionally would fill in as the substitute coach for Little League games and basketball games. Throughout her time in Lake Carmel, she was actively involved in helping single mothers who were in need of support in raising their children. She did this through her volunteer work at Birthright of Carmel, and then continued to support young mothers through her volunteer work at Alight in Hudson, NY. Mary is survived by her husband Michael, her brothers David and James O'Connor, her daughter Cathy Dougherty (Michael), her four sons, James (Dawn), Michael (Karen), John (Jill), and Edward (Denise). She is also survived by her ten grandchildren, Bridget, Jack, Caitlin, Ashley, Tommy, Courtney, Lauren, Caragh, James and Jenna. Calling hours are on Friday, November 22, 2013 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Cargain Funeral Home, 10 Fowler Ave, Carmel, NY 10512 (845) 225-3672. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 11 a.m. at St. James the Apostle Church, Carmel, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to Alight Center located at 192 Fairview Ave, Hudson, NY 12534.