Obituary of Lou Ann Kirk

Lou Ann Mumpton Kirk, 72, of Westernville passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Monday, August 10, 2015. She was born January 1, 1943, the daughter of Lucius and Frederica Hall Mumpton. She graduated from the Academy of the Holy Names in 1960 and the College of St. Rose in 1964. Lou Ann taught kindergarten for close to 40 years in the Rome City School District, most recently at Stokes Elementary School. She is remembered fondly by her students as the teacher who took them to her farm and drove the tractor for the hayride. She loved to teach and was a kindergarten teacher through and through. On June 12, 1965, she married Paul E. Kirk at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church in Rome. He passed away on November 26, 2010. Together, Paul and Lou Ann ran Quaker View Farms and raised a large family. They opened their house to many children and teens in need over the years. She worked closely with Catholic Charities and the Fresh Air Program. Lou Ann's strong faith in God was apparent in all she did. She was a very active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lee Center where she served as a lector and Eucharistic Minister, taught church school, RCIA, a member of the Women's Club and served on the parish council. She was also an associate member of Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. She was very charitable and would give you the shirt off of her back. Every year, she would spend the entire year buying toys for children in Tutwiler, Mississippi, one of the poorest counties in the country. She would FedEx several large boxes full of dolls, books, balls, trucks and tractors to children who may have otherwise not had a Christmas. Lou Ann will be fondly remembered by many friends and neighbors, especially for her congo bars and chocolate chip cookies. Her house was always filled with kids, noise and love. She loved being in touch with God in nature and enjoyed long walks in the woods or around the farm. Her kind, quiet, compassionate ways inspired many and she will be greatly missed. Lou Ann is survived by her children and their families: Paul and Shirley Kirk and their children Ashley and Shane, Shane's wife, Lisa, and grandchildren, Che and Emma; Peter and Jessie Kirk and their children Quade, Delanie and Kolby; Tracy Briscoe and her children Robbie and Emily; Mary and Paul Snider and their daughters Addison and Madeline; Katie and David Favata and their children Claire, Lauren and Luke; and Joanna and Keith Burnett and their sons, Landen and Corbin. She is also survived by her favorite brother, Daniel Mumpton and his wife Patti. She also leaves behind brother and sister-in-laws Herman and Janet Kirk; David and Charlene Kirk; Myna Kirk; Charles Kirk; Shirley Kirk; and Linda Darling and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, August 13th at 10:00 a.m. at Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, Rome followed by a mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church in Lee Center, NY. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call the Barry Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 12th from 2-4 or 7-9. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the "For the Love of Lou Lou" team in the Walk to End Alzheimer's organized by the Alzheimer's Association or to the memorial fund at St. Joseph's Church.