Marjorie T. Kirby, PhD

Professor Emeritus, Queens College

Miss Kirby was born of American parents and reared in Havana, Cuba. She came to the US on a scholarship to Birmingham, AL to study for her BA and later received MA and PhD degrees from UNC Chapel Hill.

Dr. Kirby taught Spanish at Coffee High School in Florence, AL until she was offered the position of Head of the Foreign Language Department (Spanish) at then Queens College, in Charlotte, NC, a position she held until her retirement. Marjorie (Z. Smith Reynolds Professor of Foreign Languages (Spanish) received the Queens teaching award, the college’s highest honor on April 29, 1986. Although she had a busy teaching schedule, she found time to work closely with foreign language departments of local schools, local businesses, as a member of the Interpreter’s Service of Charlotte, also to volunteer as a translator for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department and help out at Loaves & Fishes.

Marjorie was an avid traveler, visiting Spain and Mexico numerous times. One summer she took 30 students from Queens College on a study-tour visiting many interesting cities and places in Western Europe.

Marjorie was predeceased by her parents Willelah N. Kirby and Carroll Scott Kirby. She is survived by her sister Helen K. Garcia and nieces and nephews; Virginia T. Garcia, Ralph A. Garcia (Laurie), Richard A. Garcia (Pam), Robert R. Garcia (Maxine), and Helen G. Leak (Dennis), grand-nieces and grand-nephews; Elliot Faure Garcia (Thuy), Joshua Hensley (Anna), Kelly G. Lee (Fong), and Jillian R. Leak.

Marjorie’s family wishes to convey their gratitude and thanks to all the doctors, nurses, assistants, staff, and Hospice of Carolina‘s Health Care System of Pineville for the excellent care they gave her.

A celebration of the life of Marjorie will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 12:00 pm at McEwen Pineville Chapel. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Loaves and Fishes or the charity of your choice.

Condolences may be made at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.