Mary Alice Shirk

Mary Alice Shirk (nee Moore) was born in Pittsburgh, PA on July 8, 1942, to Donald and Arlene (Weaver) Moore. She lived a life rich with passions and dedicated to others. A proud graduate of Juniata College in Education, she furthered her studies with a Master's in Education from Penn State.
For 59 joyful years, she was married to her beloved husband, Tom Shirk. Together, they raised four daughters: Jennifer Shirk, Margery (Eric) Grill, Aimee Shirk, and Eileen (Marcus) Smedley. Her greatest happiness, however, came from her thirteen cherished grandchildren: Margaret, Cooper, Josie, Fiona, Samuel, Sydney, Thomas, Harrison, Maddox, Mairi, Tilly, Cora, and Anna, who brought immense joy to her life. Mary Alice was a doting grandmother and was much beloved by her grandchildren. Her legacy will continue through their achievements for generations.
She was a true enthusiast of the culinary arts and a member of a gourmet cooking club. Her adoration for flowers was evident in her award-winning status as a Master Gardener and her active involvement with the Corey Woods Garden Club. She was an active member of Epworth Church for more than 35 years. Beyond her personal interests, she was dedicated to her community, serving on the board of directors for the Sunshine Children's Home and actively participating with the Toledo Symphony Education Outreach. She also held a special fondness for the beach, finding peace and happiness by the sea.
She will be interred at Steinmetz Cemetery in Schoeneck, Lancaster Country, PA, on August 16, 2025. A memorial service will be held on October 4th at Epworth UMC. Details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Sunshine Children's Home and Epworth UMC.
Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata.