Obituary of Mary Frances Kirwan

Mary F. Kirwan, 90, of Freehold Township passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 29^th.

Mary was funny and kind, the sort of person who lit up every room she entered. Right to the end, Mary was full of life and a joy to be around. She will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know her.

Mary was born and grew up in in Pottsville, PA. Of her parents’ six children, Mary was the youngest daughter so was tagged with her lifelong nickname “Baby.” In 1955, Mary wed the love of her life, her high school sweetheart Robert F. Kirwan. The couple were married for over 65 happy years until Bob’s death in 2020.

Shortly after they were married, Bob accepted a job with Merck Pharmaceuticals, causing the young couple to move from Pennsylvania to Asbury Park. Mary was 7 months pregnant with their first child, and far from family and friends. She spent her days on the boardwalk and learned how to cook Italian food from a neighbor. From that beginning, Mary would develop into an accomplished gourmet chef.

Mary and Bob would later move to Freehold Township, raising their four children and living there for the next six decades. Mary became active in numerous local civic organizations including the Freehold Women’s Club, the Freehold Township Women’s Republican Club and the Catholic Daughters.  She was a longtime parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Church in Freehold. Later, Mary would work at Bell Labs, Holmdel and the Monmouth County Medical Association, Shrewsbury.

Mary was renowned for her elaborate dinner parties and magnificent table settings featuring Lenox china and Waterford crystal. She would take photos of her beautiful centerpieces – in a way predating Instagram influencers by more than half a century! Mary could replicate any recipe and improve upon it. Her husband would often say (much to her dismay) why should we go out to eat when you can make everything better at home! She was known for her “Pick Your Own Pasta” parties, where guests would select their homemade pasta which was hanging in the kitchen and drop it in the pot. Her Caeser Salad was legendary – and her homemade sauce was canned every year from locally grown tomatoes. Fantastico!

Mary had a knack for decorating – especially at Christmas. She took great pride in winning awards for her indoor and outdoor holiday decorations and was featured in the Asbury Park Press and other local papers. Her Christmas tree was adorned with crystal ornaments and silver bows. She helped to design the beautiful landscaping of her home, including a Japanese garden with two koi ponds and a waterfall, a handmade brick patio and wooden bridge leading to an inground pool.

“Grammy” loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and took great pride in all their accomplishments. She especially enjoyed taking her nearly two dozen family members on the yearly trip to Skytop Lodge in the Poconos – and showing off her much-loved, handsome and beautiful family.

Mary leaves behind her four children, son Robert W. Kirwan and his wife Vicki of Manahawkin, son Kevin Kirwan and his wife Beth Ann Gardiner of Lambertville, daughter Elizabeth Byrnes and her husband George of Gladstone and daughter Maria Wojciechowski and her husband Michael of Freehold; eight grandchildren, Jason and his wife Kim, Tracy, Ryan and his wife Willow, George, Maggie and husband Anthony, Thomas, Joseph and Katherine; and five great-grandchildren, Brianna, Charles, Marcus, River and Carter.

A Memorial Gathering will be held at Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Monday, August 5, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. Rose of Lima Chapel, 51 Lincoln Place, Freehold.   For information, directions or to leave condolence messages for the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com