Mary Catherine Bourke

Mary was born in Belcarra, Co. Mayo, Ireland to Thomas Bourke and Annie Bourke (Moran) on April 23rd, 1944 and attended school in Belcarra.

Mary moved from Ireland to the United States in 1955. Mary was raised in South Bend, Indiana where she attended Holy Cross School and St. Joseph High School. In South Bend, Mary forged lifelong friendships that she enjoyed throughout her life. Upon graduating from high school in 1963, Mary worked as an assistant at the University of Notre Dame coaches’ office (home of the Fighting Irish football team), before later relocating to Washington, D.C.

In Washington, D.C., Mary spent time studying at American University and began her career in Government administration. Mary successfully applied for a job at the White House, working as assistant to the U.S. Press Secretary during President Ford’s administration (1974 – 1976). Mary also worked on Capitol Hill, at the National Republican Congressional Committee (1977 -1981). In 1981, Mary joined the Regan administration, and with that appointment worked at senior levels in The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Energy. After her time working in government, Mary enjoyed a career as a highly successful real estate professional in Virginia, through the 1990’s and for the last 30+ years.

Mary maintained life-long friendships, since arriving in the United States in the 1950’s and maintained a lifelong connection to Co. Mayo in Ireland, by taking trips to and travelling around Ireland over the course of her lifetime. Mary made particularly strong impressions on the lives of her nieces and nephews on her visits to Ireland in the 1980’s and later hosted many of her nieces and nephews when they came to visit the United States.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Annie, her brother, John and nephew Tomás. Mary is survived by her long-term partner, Joe (Butasek), sisters Ann and Peggy, nieces Áine, Anita, Carmel and Tracy, nephews Brian, John and Johnny as well as grand-nieces, grand-nephews and a long list of dear friends that Mary cherished throughout her life.

A funeral service will be held at 10.30am on Wednesday, May 28th, 2025 at The Basilica of Saint Mary (310 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA) with Father Joseph Townsend officiating. The service will also be available to livestream at 10.30am Eastern Daylight Time / 3.30pm Irish Standard Time at: https://vimeo.com/event/5143996/13e49a9d8a. Arrangements are by Demaine Funeral Home.

Burial will take place in Guesdian Cemetery, Belcarra, Co. Mayo, Ireland after a same-day funeral service at 2.30pm on Sunday, June 15th, 2025 at St. Anne’s Church, Belcarra, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

Memorials gifts may be sent in lieu of flowers to The Men’s Home in Alexandria, Virginia: https://themenshome.com. The family, partner and friends of Mary wish to extend a sincere thank you to Sunrise of Alexandria, Fresenius Kidney Care, Heartland Hospice and Care with Love.