Mary Rose Kirby (née Sullivan) passed away July 12, 2024. Mary was born on January 17, 1933 in the South End of Boston to John and Mary Sullivan. She grew up in Dorchester where she attended St. Margaret’s Church and schools and graduated from Msgr. Ryan Memorial High School. She was passionate about Irish dance, both as a competitive dancer and as a teacher. She graduated from Boston City Hospital School of Nursing and went on to work as a nurse at Boston City Hospital, the West Roxbury Manor, and the Wrentham State School. While still in nursing school she was introduced to Jeremiah “Jerry” Kirby, the love of her life. They were married for 44 years. Mary and Jerry were the proud parents of Marianne, Dennis, Brendan, and Jerry Jr. She was a devoted mother, wife, and daughter, serving her father, husband, and son as a caregiver throughout their respective periods of poor health. She cherished her children and grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband Jerry, son Jerry Jr., father, mother, and brother and sister-in-law John and Bridie Sullivan. She is survived by her daughter Marianne, son Dennis and his wife Gwen and their children Dennis Jr., Mark and Clare, Brendan and his wife Maryanne and his children Jack and Alexa. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Bill Kirby, sisters-in-laws Kathy Kirby and Anne Cogavin and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours at the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St. West Roxbury on Thursday, July 18th from 8:30 – 9:30am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Theresa of Avila Church, 2078 Centre St. West Roxbury at 10:00am. Interment Friday, July 19th at 10:45 am at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA. Relatives and friends invited.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mary may be made to Old Colony Hospice, 321 Manley St. West Bridgewater, MA 02379 or at www.oldcolonyhospice.org/donation-overview www.oldcolonyhospice.org/donation-overview.
For directions and guestbook gormleyfuneral.com