Mary Ward Pirtle

Mary Ward Pirtle 97, of Speedway, passed away, December 18, 2010. She was born February 6, 1913, daughter of Irish immigrant parents Patrick and Anna (O’Gara) Ward in Indianapolis. Mary was the last member of the Ward family lineage. She was a graduate of Holy Cross School and St. John Academy. Mary worked in the personnel department at FMC (formerly Link Belt) as a secretary before retiring in 1978. She was a member of the Westside Support Group of the Alzheimer Association. She was also a member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church for 40 years. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank Pirtle and sisters Ann, Kathryn and Margaret and brother Patrick. She is survived by stepson Bill (Lee) Pirtle, Hudson, MA, step grandchildren Susan and David, niece Dorothy (John) Groves, great niece Linda, great nephews John (Amy) and Steven, great great niece Allion , great great nephews Derek and Bradley and dear loving friends Lucille, Muriel and Linda. Services will be Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 2 pm at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 125 North Oriental St., Indpls., with calling from noon till service time. Entombment will follow at Washington Park North Cemetery. The family wishes to thank Caregivers Julie Eppen and Bonnie Stalbaum for their kindness and compassionate care the past nine months. In lieu of flowers contributions to Alzheimer’s Association.