Mary Hazel Kirk's Obituary
Hazel Kirk, age 90, passed away April 2, 2017. She was born at 425 Wood Street in Dunedin, Florida to Atlas and Mae Kirk. She attended Dunedin Elementary, Dunedin Junior High, and graduated from Clearwater High School in 1944. She attended Montreat College in North Carolina, where she made lifelong friends. She began working for the City of Dunedin in the summer of 1945 where she worked into the position of accountant and kept the books for the City for 49 years. Central in her life was First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin where she was baptized. She served the church as a Sunday School Teacher, Youth Leader, Deacon, Elder, Circle Leader, and countless other roles. Hazel actively enjoyed life to the fullest by participating in tennis at Countryside Country Club, sailing with the Dunedin Wind Lasses, biking and kayaking with the Dunedin Wind Bags, and playing both bridge and mahjong. In every activity she participated in she made cherished friends. She also joined in vacations with her friends that allowed her to participate in adventures that included white water rafting, heli-hiking in Canada, skiing in Colorado, bicycling tours in the Netherlands, sailing in the Caribbean, and trips to Europe, Central America and Africa. She introduced her friends and family to the beauty of Florida where they shelled, canoed, camped, kayaked, and had many joyous trips to Lake Kerr. Her home was the center of her family activities for five generations. She lovingly celebrated and supported family events and participated in all family activities. In the last two weeks of her life, she had the joy of actively being with her family and picnicking at Philippe Park, kayaking on the Weeki Wachee, participating in water aerobics, hosting her famous family dinner, playing bridge, preparing for Easter, and planning for a fun visit with an old friend. She was an inspiration to both family and friends.
Hazel was predeceased by her parents Atlas and Mae Kirk. Her sister Doris (Philip) Birge passed away in 2001. She also lost her great-niece Katy Alline Birge in 2000. Left to honor Hazel and remember her love are her niece Betty (Richard) Poser of Fairhope, AL, nephews Jerry (Beverly) Birge of Columbia S.C. and Donald Birge of Columbia S.C. She also left great nieces Debra (Harry) Mattheus, Terri (John) Mitvalsky, and great nephew David (Michelle) Birge. She was a great-great aunt to Adam, Jarrod, Sarah, Cullen, and Dylan. She was a great-great-great aunt to Joshua and Calvin. She was truly great in every sense of the word.
Her Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, May 6th at two o’clock at First Presbyterian Church, 455 Scotland St, Dunedin, Florida. Burial will follow at Dunedin Cemetery. The family will greet friends in Fellowship Hall following the service. Memorial gifts in Hazel’s memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?