Pirch, Mary E 1946-2017

PIRCH, KNUTSON, SAVEL, CORNWELL, MCINTOSH

Posted By: NettieMae
Date: 4/26/2017 at 07:37:46

Mary E. Pirch age 70 of Camanche, passed away peacefully with loved ones in the comfort of her home on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. A Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday, February 19, 2017 at the Church of the Visitation in Camanche. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Saturday at the Church of the Visitation. In following Mary's wishes, cremation rites will follow with burial at a later date in Clinton Lawn Cemetery. The Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Mary was born in Cedar Rapids on October 6, 1946, the daughter of Milo and Kathyrn (Knutson) Savel. She attended Upper Iowa University and received her BA degree in Education from the University of Iowa in 1968. She was married in 1968 and to this union she was blessed with two children, a son Andrew James and a daughter Stacey Ann. On September 21st, 1985 she was joined in marriage to Ray Pirch at her mother's home in Cedar Rapids.

Mary taught school in Illinois and Michigan while continuing her education in behavioral disorders and learning disabilities. While a stay at home mom she was a substitute teacher in the Clinton and Camanche School Districts She later taught in Sterling, IL for the Severe and Profound and then at Lincoln High School in Clinton. She was a member of the Church of the Visitation and Illowa Orchid Club. She was actively involved in the Clinton Showboat Theater as an actress and usher.

Mary is survived by her husband Ray; two children, Andrew (Elizabeth) Cornwell, stationed in Tokyo, Japan and a daughter, Stacey (Michael) McIntosh of Silvis, IL; a Step-son, Scott Pirch of Coeur D'Alene, ID; five grandchildren, Nicole, Cassandra, Cordelia, Jacob and Kassidi; a brother, William (Janice) Savel of Cedar Rapids and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; a step-son, Shawn and a brother, Robert. Memorials may be made to the Illowa Orchid Society, Pancreatic Cancer Research or the Clinton Humane Society. - See more at: http://obituaries.clintonherald.com/story/mary-pirch-1946-2017-876270772#sthash.brW7dKvi.dpuf