Mary Bourke

The death has occurred of Mary Bourke, Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.A and formerly of Curranney, Belcarra, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, peacefully on 16th May 2025 in Alexandria.

 

Predeceased by her parents Thomas and Annie (nee Moran), brother John and her nephew Thomas.

Mary will be sadly missed by her partner Joe Butasek (Virginia, U.S.A), her sisters Ann Connor Heneghan (Drumcorrabaun, Breaffy, Castlebar) and Peggy Kilgallon (Aughalusky, Moneen, Castlebar), her brothers in law, nieces, nephews, relatives and cherished friends.

 

May her gentle soul rest in peace.

 

Mary maintained a life-long connection with Mayo, while enjoying successful careers in government and real estate in the United States. She worked for US presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Regan. Aged 81 she enjoyed illustrious careers, after moving to the United States, as a child. Born in 1944, Mary attended school in Belcarra, before moving to the United States in 1955, there she was raised in South Bend, Indiana, where she attended Holy Cross School and St. Joseph's High School. After graduating from High School in 1963, she worked as an assistant a the University of Notre Dame Coaches' Office (home of the Fighting Irish Football Team). She later relocated to Washington DC where she studied at American University and began her impressive career in government administration. Mary worked in the White House as assistant to the US Press Secretary during President Gerald Ford's administration 1974 - 1976. She also worked on Capital Hill at the National Republican Congressional Committee (1977-1981), before joining Ronald Regan's administration, where she worked at senior levels in the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Energy. After working in government she started a successful career in real estate which lasted over 30 years.

 

 

Mary's Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Sunday June 15th at 2.30pm in St. Anne’s Church, Belcarra, Castlebar, followed by burial of cremains in Guesdian Cemetery, Belcarra.

 

Family flowers only please.

 

The Funeral Mass will be available for viewing on Kilcoyne Funeral Directors Facebook page.

 

You are invited to leave a message of condolence for the family on the condolence link below or you can write to the family c/o Kilcoyne Funeral Directors, Thomas Street, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland F23 FD90.

 

All enquiries to Kilcoyne’s Funeral Home, Thomas Street, Castlebar 00353872648869 www.kilcoynefuneralhome.com