Thinking of Mary and all of her loved ones

I remember Mary from way back 1973 or so went to church.and hung around john for month or two.
Paul Fusco ...

Miss you everyday, Mom. Hold Karter close. You’d be proud of the people that Konnor and Payton are becoming.

It's always nice to remember a loved one on the anniversary of their homegoing!

I am thinking of your beautiful mother and your whole family today. Happy heavenly birthday Mary

Mary was always the first one to greet you (and with a smile) when you first arrived at church. I think about that often.

Remembering Mary today as it was her birthday. Miss you dear Mary. Happy heavenly birthday.

Thinking about Mary today. I don’t know if they celebrate birthdays in heaven but Happy Birthday Mary. 
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

She was an inspiration to us all,
The weak, the wounded, the weary, and the small
And who could count the seeds sweet Mary sowed
Save the One who gave her seeds to sow,
As bright reflected light Sweet Mary shone.
Steady as the Stone on which sweet Mary built her home, her countenance would light up the darkest day you've known. Some look death in the face and find it scary. Not sweet Mary, no, she understood.
The self portrait that sweet Mary would paint, would show her as less than the least of saints, but we all know better, yes, we all know better she was...she was...steady as the Stone on which sweet Mary built her home, her countenance would light up the darkest day you've known.
Some look death in the face and find it scary. Not sweet Mary, no, she understood, she'd always known, then there she stood, before His throne, she laid there still, a final breath, we felt her go, and she was home. Sweet Mary's home.

Lyrics for Sweet Mary, by Drew Gustafson

I will always remember Mary for her beautiful smile, big heart and all of her words of wisdom. Thanks to Mary and Jim, I was able to make it through a very difficult time. Her advice to me when I became anxious was to refer to Philippians 4:6 "In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. I am very blessed and forever grateful for having known such a beautiful soul.

Today is Mary's 90th birthday and she owns the pleasure of celebrating with her creator. Happy Birthday, Mom!

Still striving to be even half the woman you were. Thanks for showing me how God can shine though us.

I'll always remember Mary's kind and happy heart. Many Sundays after church we would talk of our love for our Lord Jesus -- sharing our faith, and life and also our fondness for knitting. She and I both made blue sweaters for our husbands (earlier in our lives). I hope when I see her again in Heaven our Lord has put us together in His "sewing department" -- praising Him while we work always for His glory.

Happy Birthday Mom! See you soon!

Mary was one of kind in the most amazing way.

And if you give yourself to the hungry
And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness
And your gloom will become like midday.
And the Lord will continually guide you,
And satisfy your desire in scorched places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
Those from among you will rebuil

It was always such a comfort to walk into church and see Mary smile at you from the back row as if to say "welcome" for me that was all of the 1990's All of eternity remains to be reunited!

Mom led many people to the Lord and counseled many, many more; sometimes those that were suicidal and in deep despair. She would share the Gospel with my friends when they came over, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." It didn't mean much to me at the time, though now it is very, very precious.

She had the kindest face- and the most encouraging voice. A treasure.

Happy Birthday Mom! Your ministry still grows and glorifies the Lord in whom you now share time! I miss you and at the same time, am glad that you're home.

It is hard to believe that Aunt Mary has been dead a year. I really miss her!!

Mary was one of the first to welcome me at church. She was an example of how a gentle smile, some kind words or a gentle touch can make such a difference and have so much impact on a person. She was truly a woman after God's own heart.

Mary was special, kind & loving, to my entire family. She loved the Lord, Jim & her family faithfully... & because of that, I believe God answered my prayer & allowed us to enter Jim & Mary's ministry. Mary's mentoring effected us and we are thankful

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. For the love of Christ compels us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: The Love of Christ motivated my mother in all and she always led with the Love of Christ.

Mary was my Aunt. I was so blessed to have her in my life. She was the most positive person I have ever known and the best Aunt ever. I regret that I didn't live in Chicago for so many years and was not able to see Aunt Mary as often as I would ha

Our deepest sympathy to the Kirkwood Family. We were fortunate to have her warm greetings at Sunday service and to have a view of a person who so conspicuously loved the Lord.
 Sincerely, The Visintines

Mary's warm smile and kind words will always be remembered...Bob Mecca

mary kirkwood was one of the kindest and most loving women i have ever known. i will always remember her warm smile, as she greeted everyone on sunday mornings. i can't begin to imagine her joy as she has seen HIM. - from corinne and danielle

We sorrow and rejoice with you knowing Mary is absent from our presence, but that she is present with our Lord, which is far better!
Many memories flashed through our minds this past week. All of them painted a picture of a humble Proverbs 31 woman

I am so much richer in my Christian walk because of knowing Mary. We often talked of how wonderful it will be to be with our Lord Jesus in Heaven one day. I look forward to seeing her smiling face and sparkling eyes again.

Being the wife and mother of a pastor, she had deep insights into the Word of God. When she talked about our Lord, there was a slight change in her voice that let you know she really meant it. If there is a sweeter woman on earth, I haven't met her.

I will always praise God for you, Mary, for what you meant to me and my family! I know you enjoyed, and I will always treasure, the discussions you, me and Jim had when we went for our ice cream treat! God bless 'til we meet again....

It was a privilege to know such a righteous soul. We will miss her sweet little face smiling at us. I'm thankful to know that Mary is in such a wonderful place beside our Lord. We will miss her deeply.

Dear Mary, it was a priviledge knowing you! I am thankful for the warmth, love and encouragement you showed me at our assembly. I am so excited to know that "you are 'now in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ,' where there is fullness of joy!"

Mary's life was truly a reflection of Christ's love; our world is darker for her having left it. I will miss her light! Pat Cuevas

It was truly an honor to get to know this remarkable woman - I will always remember being welcomed by her glowing, sweet smile! How lucky to be surrounded by so much love to the end of her earthly life - surely she is dancing the streets of heaven!

We bonded the first time we met..that was back in 1987. I took her on as my mama and I became her daughter. My heart hurts and yet I am so very happy for her. I miss her " your one in a million" to all of the times she would yell at me for over worki

working in baking for the coffee ministry. She loved yellow cake with chocolate frosting ;) We had wonderful conversations over the phone and she loved talking about the Lord and His word. She always remembered my birthday. As a matter of fact...I ha

had visited her a month and a half ago and after talking with her a bit...she said March 1st out of the clear blue sky..and I smiled and said you remembered and she said yes...and that was with her having a difficult time remembering anything. We the

then would do this kissing game. She would kiss me and then I her..she then would say she wanted more so we would keep kissing each other. I will definitely miss her kisses :( I am a better person for having had Mama in my life. I thank the Lord for

her and I pray that the rapture happens quickly so that we can be together again and worshipping our Lord the way it was intended! I love you Mama. See you soon

Dear John & Wendy
    Thinking of you in your time of sorrow
Your ma must have been a wonderful lady
I will think of you and keep you in my prayers
I will keep a candle lit in her memory.

Dear John & Wendy & Family
Your Ma will watch over you even more now, a Little Star in the sky will twinkle down and be with you forever

Since first speaking with Mary in 1985 until her last few months, she always found a way to smile and compliment our family. I will always remember the love Mary had for Christ, and the joy she had in sharing Him.

Grace and Peace, Joy and Love, Mary had these from Heaven above!

Our prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Yet we are also rejoicing with you, knowing that Mary is singing praises before the King of kings.

Mary will be remembered as being characterized by an occupation with Christ. Our assembly's loss is Heaven's gain!

Somehow Mary, this tiny woman, always remembered my family, all of them which is no easy feat! Nothing but love, kindness, and true compassion stems from her. If only I may be half the woman she was. I'm honored to have known her. We will miss her.

Our prayers are with you and your family.......
Mary was one of the most beautiful people I have ever known.....inside and out. She truly loved the Lord with all of her heart and was a servant in every way.
I will always remember her beautiful sm

Mary oozed grace and kindness. You always saw her with a smile.She had such an easy laugh and just a sweet nature. She was such a great example of how wonderful God's grace is. We will miss you, but we rejoice in your home going.