Maria Ann Grippaldi Van Kirk, 91, of Athens died Sunday, May 25, 2014. Mass will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, 2014. Visitation with the family and friends will be at 9 a.m. at St. Paul’s. A graveside service will follow at Roselawn Cemetery.
Maria was born to Anthony and Josephine Grippaldi in Newark, New Jersey. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, George Stokley Van Kirk. She is survived by her sons, George Phillip Van Kirk and wife Patsy Dianne Burke Van Kirk, and Michael James Van Kirk. She has six grandchildren, Samantha Nicole Van Kirk Rose and husband Todd Rose, Melissa Renee Van Kirk Pouncey and husband Joseph Adam Pouncey, Michael Joseph Van Kirk and wife Deneen Meals Van Kirk, George Harlan Van Kirk, Sallie Rae Van Kirk, and Rachel Dianne Van Kirk. She has four great-grandchildren, Sullivan Rose, Calvin Pouncey, Talan Rose, and Madilyn Van Kirk.
Maria graduated from South Brunswick High School in 1941. She served her country in the United States Army Air Force from 1944 to 1945. She married George at Fort Dix, New Jersey and they travelled the world together with the US Army. They settled in Athens in 1969. She was an active and faithful member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Athens. She loved cooking for friends and family, playing bridge with friends, gardening, and travel.
