Obituaries

Katharine Knipe Shirk

Katharine Knipe Shirk, a member of First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, PA was the wife of John S. Shirk, Lantoga Farms, Lititz, PA.  Born July 5, 1923 in Columbia Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Mary Hartman and James Lloyd Knipe.

Kate was a member of the J.P. McCaskey class of 1941 and Dickinson College class of 1945.

Kate is survived by her children:  Duff and Jess May and their children Scottie and her husband Brett Buerck, and their children Alex and Parker; and Boyd May and his wife Melanie; Kate May; Laura and Bryan Davis, and their children Mary, Barbara and Ben Davis; Caroline and Paul Hoffer, and their children Katie, Izzy and Billy; and by her stepchildren: John and Mary Ann Shirk, and their children Michael and his wife Andrea, and their son Tyler; Caroline Shirk; Marilyn Davenport and her children Chris and his wife Heather, and Andy and his wife Allison, and their daughter Abby; Mary and Chuck Blakinger and their children Kate and John; Art Shirk and his partner John Gatto. Kate was preceded in death by grandchildren Michael Davis and Arthur Shirk.

A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 140 E. Orange St. Lancaster, PA 17602 on Friday, July 17, at 10:30am with Rev. Randy Riggs Officiating.  Interment will take place at Fairview Cemetery, Wrightsville, PA.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to First Presbyterian Church. Arrangements by Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 717-393-9661. To send the family online condolences please visit www.snyderfuneralhome.com

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Dear Family of Kate, 
As are you, I am very sad to have lost Kate.  From the time that Caroline and Paul were married, in 1975, Kate and I enjoyed a warm relationship;  I always looked forward to being with her at the  gatherings of our extended families, she always had a joke to tell, and she always had some tidbit of information for me, personally.  ( On May 30, at the girls graduation party, when she looked radiant in turquoise, and she brought along a Smithsonian magazine with a listing of Arizona museums which she wanted me to see.)
She was not only  a warm, perceptive,  loving mother and grandmother, but also a bright and personable friend.  I’ll miss her, too         
With love,  ANN HOFFER

Dear Laura and family,  I’m so sorry for your loss of mom.  My thoughts and prayers have been with you over the past days and weeks.  Take care of yourself. 
Roberta Waters

Our Sympathy to Kate Shirk’s family-
We are sorry to hear of Kate’s death.
I felt close to Kate because of our Dickinson connection and John and Kate entertained us numerous times also bringing Dickinsonians from far and wide together.
We have missed John and now Kate.
Sincerely,
Jane and Harry Kulp

We will miss seeing Kate at the farm. We appreciated her gentle nature and thoughtfulness and it seemed as if she always shared a smile and a kind word. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Randy Hoover and Laura Kanagy

It was a privilege for MediQuest to care for your mother.  She was a delight, and our CNAs enjoyed caring for her.  We will miss her.
Jess, I didn’t know you were her daughter.  Hopefully, I will have a chance to tell you a fond memory I have of the day I picked your mother up from the Press Room where she had lunch with her friends.
I plan to be at the service on Friday.  See you then.
Kathy Bailey
President
MediQuest Staffing & Homecare

Dear Family,
Of all my childhood memories, some of the earliest and best, were times spent in the May household.  Mrs. May, as I knew her then, was the top favorite Mom in our neighborhood. She was without doubt the kindest, most sympathetic, and most interested adult that I knew, for certain.  She was there for us–that is the best way I can describe it.  She knew, loved, and understood a child’s heart. She was our friend.  How lucky we all were to know this angel of a lady.  I know you will all miss her greatly, but certainly you must take great comfort in knowing how loved she was and always will be. No one could know your Mother not be the better for it.  She truly lived a life of compassion and understanding–she was one of a rare breed that I would call a "Comforter". She just had that effect–she was what they call "solid comfort".  With warm best wishes to all and deep appreciation for a life lived so beautifully. 
Libby Slaymaker Steckler

Rick and I were saddened to hear of Kate’s death.  She loved our West Virginia family dearly and always talked about her fondness of Rock, WV, our family homeplace.  My father, Lane Murphy, thought quite a lot of her, as did my mother.  Perhaps they are all in heaven celebrating together!
Our thoughts and prayers are with our loved ones in the Lancaster family.  May the Holy Spirit comfort you and send you His peace.
Fondly,
Suzie Murphy Lowry

Dear Kathy, This seems a strange way of extending our sympathy to you but I don’t know your address in Hawaii.. Because Dick and I will be out of town  on Friday, this brings  our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Your Mother was a darling and I have known her ever since we attended dances at F. and M. many moon ago.  Our son Dan Farmer and you were classmates and we always said you were the prettiest girl in the class! You are in our thoughts and prayers, With love, Mary Suzanne Farmer, (Mrs. C. Richard Farmer)

Dear Caroline and Family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Aminta Hawkins Breaux
Vice President for Student Affairs
Millersville University

We are saddened by Kate’s death.  It was always a pleasure to interact with both Kate and John at the farm — especially on Schurch Family issues.  She was a gracious hostess and probably heard more Shirk stories than she wished!  We were pleased to share a memorial contribution to First Presbyterian Church in her honor.  Be assured of our ongoing prayers for your family in the weeks and months ahead as you adjust to life here without Kate.

Sue Shirk on behalf of the Schurch Family Association of North America  

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