Mary Elizabeth Van Kirk
1945 - 2009
Mary Elizabeth Van Kirk, 64, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 30th, 2009 at The
Compassionate Care Hospice Center at St. Clare's Hospital in Dover, New Jersey surrounded
by her loved ones. While fighting a courageous battle against breast cancer for 13 years she
continued to, as she would say, "live life abundantly".
Mary was born on August 7, 1945 and grew up in Roanoke, Virginia with her mother, Goldie
Copley Van Lear; father, William Brainerd Van Lear; brother, Harry (Jack) Evans; and sister,
Linda Evans. She graduated from Northside High School in Roanoke, where she excelled
academically and in the theater. She attended The College of William and Mary in
Williamsburg, VA, where she met her future husband Philip Van Kirk.
After their marriage in 1965 and a move to Raleigh, North Carolina, she graduated with honors
from North Carolina State University in 1967. This same year saw the birth of her daughter and
first child, Larisa Lind. Her son, Philip Gregory, was born in 1969 after a move to Norfolk, VA.
Mary began her work life there in social work. She migrated to real estate following moves to
New Orleans and Memphis.
After the family relocated in 1977 to their present home at Mt. Kemble Lake in Harding
Township, New Jersey, she began her career with the National Telephone Directory Service
(NTD), a private yellow pages company which served the tri-state area. Beginning as a sales
representative, Mary rose through the management ranks culminating with her promotion to
Executive Vice President in 1993. She was honored to be the first female officer at the
company.
Throughout her life, she focused her abundant grace, kindness, and love on her husband,
children, grandchildren, family, and friends, and volunteered countless hours in service to
others. She served her church (First Presbyterian Church of New Vernon); her community ( the
New Vernon Annual Blood Drive, and The Mt. Kemble Lake Association); and organizations
supporting people in need (The American Cancer Society, Homeless Solutions, The Affordable
Harding Corporation, and The Morristown Soup Kitchen). People could always count on Mary
to respond and be helpful, no matter what. She personified "servant leadership" and
approached no task as too big or too small. Recognizing her commitment and impact, the
Harding Township Civic Association honored Mary with its "Distinguished Citizen Award" for
2008 following the town's Memorial Day Parade.
After Mary developed breast cancer in 1996, she and her husband Philip retired and lived as
inseparable partners in everything they did. She continued to be a nurturing and loving Mom to
her two adult children and their mates; to be an indulgent, loving "Sugar" to her four
grandchildren as they arrived one by one; and to be a loyal and supportive friend. She is
survived by her husband Philip, her loving partner for the past 44 years; her beloved daughter
Larisa V.K. Gjivoje, with her husband Davor; her beloved son Greg, with his lovely Ali; her
beautiful grandchildren Vedran and Elle Gjivoje; and EvaLuna Smith Gartner and Hudson Van
Kirk, and her sister Linda Evans Stone.
A memorial service (pdf file) to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, January 9th at 11:00
a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of New Vernon, 2 Lee's Hill Road, New Vernon, NJ, 07976
(pdf file). A reception at the Basking Ridge Country Club will be held immediately following the
service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to a charity of your
choice or to Community Enterprise Solutions (www.cesolutions.org.) in care of George B.
Glickley at 112 15th Ave, Indian Rocks Beach, Fl. 33785. Mary served on the board of
directors of this award winning non-profit organization co-founded and led by her son Greg.
For more information or to send online condolences, please email phil.vankirk@verizon.net.
1945 - 2009
Mary Elizabeth Van Kirk, 64, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 30th, 2009 at The
Compassionate Care Hospice Center at St. Clare's Hospital in Dover, New Jersey surrounded
by her loved ones. While fighting a courageous battle against breast cancer for 13 years she
continued to, as she would say, "live life abundantly".
Mary was born on August 7, 1945 and grew up in Roanoke, Virginia with her mother, Goldie
Copley Van Lear; father, William Brainerd Van Lear; brother, Harry (Jack) Evans; and sister,
Linda Evans. She graduated from Northside High School in Roanoke, where she excelled
academically and in the theater. She attended The College of William and Mary in
Williamsburg, VA, where she met her future husband Philip Van Kirk.
After their marriage in 1965 and a move to Raleigh, North Carolina, she graduated with honors
from North Carolina State University in 1967. This same year saw the birth of her daughter and
first child, Larisa Lind. Her son, Philip Gregory, was born in 1969 after a move to Norfolk, VA.
Mary began her work life there in social work. She migrated to real estate following moves to
New Orleans and Memphis.
After the family relocated in 1977 to their present home at Mt. Kemble Lake in Harding
Township, New Jersey, she began her career with the National Telephone Directory Service
(NTD), a private yellow pages company which served the tri-state area. Beginning as a sales
representative, Mary rose through the management ranks culminating with her promotion to
Executive Vice President in 1993. She was honored to be the first female officer at the
company.
Throughout her life, she focused her abundant grace, kindness, and love on her husband,
children, grandchildren, family, and friends, and volunteered countless hours in service to
others. She served her church (First Presbyterian Church of New Vernon); her community ( the
New Vernon Annual Blood Drive, and The Mt. Kemble Lake Association); and organizations
supporting people in need (The American Cancer Society, Homeless Solutions, The Affordable
Harding Corporation, and The Morristown Soup Kitchen). People could always count on Mary
to respond and be helpful, no matter what. She personified "servant leadership" and
approached no task as too big or too small. Recognizing her commitment and impact, the
Harding Township Civic Association honored Mary with its "Distinguished Citizen Award" for
2008 following the town's Memorial Day Parade.
After Mary developed breast cancer in 1996, she and her husband Philip retired and lived as
inseparable partners in everything they did. She continued to be a nurturing and loving Mom to
her two adult children and their mates; to be an indulgent, loving "Sugar" to her four
grandchildren as they arrived one by one; and to be a loyal and supportive friend. She is
survived by her husband Philip, her loving partner for the past 44 years; her beloved daughter
Larisa V.K. Gjivoje, with her husband Davor; her beloved son Greg, with his lovely Ali; her
beautiful grandchildren Vedran and Elle Gjivoje; and EvaLuna Smith Gartner and Hudson Van
Kirk, and her sister Linda Evans Stone.
A memorial service (pdf file) to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, January 9th at 11:00
a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of New Vernon, 2 Lee's Hill Road, New Vernon, NJ, 07976
(pdf file). A reception at the Basking Ridge Country Club will be held immediately following the
service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to a charity of your
choice or to Community Enterprise Solutions (www.cesolutions.org.) in care of George B.
Glickley at 112 15th Ave, Indian Rocks Beach, Fl. 33785. Mary served on the board of
directors of this award winning non-profit organization co-founded and led by her son Greg.
For more information or to send online condolences, please email phil.vankirk@verizon.net.
