Mary Patricia "Pat" Kirves

1937 - 2022

Mary Patricia "Pat" Kirves
Mary Patricia "Pat" Kirves, 84, died Friday, May 20, 2022, in her home, Lanier Village, in Gainesville. Pat was born May 22, 1937, in Evansville, Indiana to parents Bernard and Lillian Epple. She had one sibling Ronald Epple. Growing up Pat was an avid writer, with a passion for storytelling and journalism. At the age of 17 Pat married the love of her life, Jack Kirves, whom she remained married to for 63 years, until his passing in 2017. Together they had 3 children, Jeff, Mark, and Jill. Pat's first career was raising her 3 children, supporting her husband, her church, and her community. She was involved with her church, her children's schools, and an active participant in the Jaycees, a civic organization committed to developing our youth. In later years, Pat thrived at her second career as a Realtor. Over the course of the next 30+ years Pat helped thousands of families in the dream of Homeownership. Like everything else Pat committed to, she excelled, receiving numerous awards and accolades. Pat was always active; active in her church; active in the community; active in her family. Pat was a mentor, a teacher, and a caretaker. To know her was to love her, and very few people, if any, could meet her and forget her. She was loved by others as much as she loved them and will be fondly remembered by all who encountered her over the course of her life. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son-in-law Donnie Balenger. She is survived by her brother, Ronald Epple of Owensboro, KY; sons and daughters-in-law, Jeff & Sandra Kirves of Jasper, GA; Mark & Valerie Kirves of Gainesville, GA; daughter, Jill Balenger of Cornelia; grandchildren, Autumn & Matt Poole of Baldwin, GA; Dusty & Emily Balenger of Buford, GA; Shanta Kirves & Mark Donaldson of Jefferson, GA; Larissa & Drew Benson of Jefferson, GA; Lindsey & Josh Byers of Baltimore, MD and 15 great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, June 2, at the Grace Episcopal Church in Gainesville, with the Rev. Stuart Higginbotham. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests all memorial donations be made to Alzheimer's Research Foundation. https://www.alzheimersresearchfoundation.com/make-a-donation/ An online guest registry is available for the Kirves family at www.HillsideMemorialChapel.com. Arrangements by Hillside Memorial Chapel, Clarkesville, Georgia. (706) 754-6256
The Times
June 1, 2022