HOPE LITTLETON KIRK

Hope Littleton Kirk, age 78, passed away on Sunday, April 8, 2018, after a brief struggle with cancer at the Nancy Hinds Hospice House in Fresno, CA. Hope was born on October 16, 1939, in Washington D.C., the daughter of Nelson Littleton, and Leila Pyrtle. Hope worked at the Pentagon as a young woman, and in 1962, was named the Naval Color Girl. She worked several years abroad in Germany and met an Air Force serviceman who would later become her husband, Bud Kirk. In 1967, they were married and lived in Due West, SC, near Erskine College, where Bud taught and coached basketball. They later moved to Antioch, CA, where they raised their family. Hope worked part-time as a legal secretary for over 25 years. Raising her three children became her true joy. Bud's career brought them to Fresno in the mid 1990s. Hope was compassionate, loving, caring, and giving. She was an excellent cook and loved preparing and hosting meals. Above all, though, Hope had a great sense of humor. She brought so much laughter and joy to the world and everyone she touched. She enriched the lives of others with her welcoming smile and warm spirit. Hope loved Christmas, Halloween, John Denver, Josh Groban, dill pickles, potato chips, the Olympics, Ronald Reagan, Derek Carr, a good movie, butter, her friends, and her family. Hope is survived by her sisters, Francis Colgan of Maryland, and Sharon King of North Carolina; sons, Chris and wife Paul, and Ryan and wife Sandra; and daughter Micah, all of Fresno. She is also survived by her grandsons, Adam Kirk, Aaron Simms, and Jacob Kirk; and several nieces, nephews, and close relatives that she cared for deeply. A Recitation of the Holy Rosary and Mass Service will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 355 E. Champlain Dr., Fresno, CA, on Friday, April 20, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Huntington's Disease Foundation; or Nancy Hinds Hospice.