Mary Lou Rourke

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our amazing and loving mother Mary Lou Rourke of Winnipeg, on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at the age of 90 years.

 

Mary Lou is survived by her children: Lucy (Franco), Dan, Angela (Robert), Brian, her grandchildren, Eric, Maya, Stephanie, Will, Kate, Michael (Bernadet), Maélie and Raphaël (Dominique) and great-grandchildren Victoria and Olivia. She was predeceased by her husband of 29 years, Charles Rourke (1997).

 

Mary Lou was the dear sister of Ruth (Sills) Kennedy (Joseph) and was predeceased by her brothers Ronald Sills (Donna), George Sills (Pat), her parents Charles P. and Lucy (Eckert) Sills of Seaforth, Ontario, as well as other cherished brothers and sisters-in-law. She will also be sadly missed but joyfully remembered by her many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

 

Mary Lou grew up in Seaforth, graduating in 1954 with a B.A. in Home Economics from Brescia College (University of Western Ontario) and worked in the field of food preparation methods. She pursued her interests in art and travel.

 

She married her loving husband, Charles in 1967 in Seaforth and they then lived in Toronto, where they began their family, and then Montreal before settling in Winnipeg in 1976. Later, she brought her creative flair into working alongside Charles in his sales business, which she continued following his sudden passing in 1997. She retired from sales in 2014.

 

Mary Lou and Charles’ involvement at Christ the King Parish and Worldwide Marriage Encounter brought them long-lasting friendships. Mary Lou was actively involved with Arcane Horizon, an organization that supports her youngest.

 

An incredible woman, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, Mary Lou will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, joy, strength, devotion, caring, and welcoming nature. 

 

The family extends its heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at River Park Gardens for their supportive care of mom over the last four years.

 

Visitation was held on Thursday, June 27 at Desjardins Funeral Home Winnipeg and Funeral Mass was held on Friday, June 28 at Christ the King Parish. Interment followed at St. Vital Roman Catholic Cemetery, followed by a reception at Christ the King Church’s Lennox Hall.

 

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Arcane Horizon Inc. (Individualized Community Living Supports), 1644 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2H 0X5.