Kathleen C. McCue (O’Rourke) of Hoboken, passed peacefully on May 12, 2021. Beloved wife of the late Eugene Francis. Cherished mother of James (Michele), Brian (Jennine), Kara (Derek) Lee. Adored grandma of Giavanna, Siena, Mia, Connor, Matt, Kate, Declan and Aidan. Sister of Noreen, Marguerite (Ben), Eileen(Ed) and the late Joanne and Eugene (Jackie).
Born on July 11, 1945, Kathy was the fourth of six children. Her parents, James and Margaret O’Rourke raised the family in the Parkchester section of the Bronx. While attending school at the College of Mt. St Vincent, a job at the World’s Fair led her to meet her husband, Gene. The couple spent the early days of their marriage in Germany while Gene served in the US Army. During this time they met lifelong friends and fell in love with travel.
After returning to the U.S., Kathy and Gene shared a wonderful life, raising three children in Rockville Centre, New York. A dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, she enjoyed watching the family grow with each marriage and each new grandchild.
Kathy loved the outdoors. Whether it was taking family camping trips, working as a naturalist, running a community garden or building an enviable landscape around her home, she was made for being outside. When she wasn’t outside, she enjoyed watching episodes of her favorite television show, Law & Order.
Above all else, the beach was her happy place. In recent years, Kathy traded the sands of Jones Beach for those of the Jersey Shore. She enjoyed her summers there, sitting by the ocean, swimming in the pool, and spending time with family and friends at her second home in Spring Lake, NJ. She had all her visitors sign the chalkboard by the back door, which was always filled by the end of every summer.
Kathy was warm and friendly, and loved to engage people in conversation – family, friends and strangers alike. She will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to know her.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or Doctors Without Borders.
Visitation for Kathleen will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Lawton-Turso Funeral Home in Hoboken (633 Washington Street, Corner of Seventh & Washington Streets, Parking on Seventh). A Funeral Mass will be offered on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 9:30 AM at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Hoboken (Corner of Fourth and Hudson Streets). Social distancing and masks will be required. For those wishing to attend the Mass virtually, a livestream will be available at 9:30 AM on Wednesday. Visit www.spphoboken.com and choose the Ministries Tab. Scroll down to Funerals, then choose the Livestream button located at the bottom of the page.
For the safety of in-person attendees and our staff, gatherings at Lawton-Turso Funeral Home will currently follow the latest guidelines as described here:
- All people attending must wear a mask while inside and around the outside of the funeral home.
- For safety, the number of attendees indoors will be limited to a reduced capacity according to currently allowed levels and shall be monitored by the management.
- All attendees must practice social distancing while paying their respects.
- In the event of changes to these safety practices, please watch this page for the latest updates.
DEEPEST SYMPATHY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, SISTER AND FRIEND
MAY SHE REST IN PEACE🙏🏽
Kathleen C. McCue (AKA “Kath”) has been a part of our lives for 50+ years—beginning in Bechhofen with gusto and leaving such a void when she, “Geno,” “Jimmy,” and Brian left Germany for Parkchester. But our relationship rekindled as she and Gene were willing to induct Midwesterners to the myriad opportunities of “Nooo Yourk.”
For the past few days, as we nursed our Utah plants and shrubs and flowers back to post-mountain winter presence, Kathleen was palpably with us, a loving garden mother who also taught us about growing things.
A page turned….
But a volume of memories to be re-visited….
Cyber hugs to the McCue-O’Rourke family/families.
You will always in my soul my beautiful lady. Thanks for been a blessing in my life, Rest In Peace
A serendipitous encounter with Kathy long ago set me on a path of being a true believer in organic CSA farming. First, in participating in one she nurtured along on Long Island with her sister-in-law , and ultimately then becoming a member of another LI farm where I sometimes could share the abundant harvests with her, completing the circle of sharing. I knew the vegetables would be in loving hands when I gave them to Kathy. Food, gardens, and family could keep us in conversation for hours. Dropping into her kitchen for a chat always meant tackling the problems of the world accompanied by a cup of tea. Kathy was a dear friend and my garden buddy. All the good memories she made with family and friends will continue to sow kindness.
A friend from the moment we met over 40 years ago. Taught me how to laugh at the incongruities of life
Set me on a path towards a love of gardening
So many shared fun and funny adventures
Always in my heart
My late aunt worked for Kathy and treasured their enduring friendship. Through that association, Jean Sullivan, Kathy and I would meet for breakfast or visit when I worked on Broadway to see a show. Kathy was a voice of reason, pragmatic, yet quick to capture the absurdities of situations. When in her company, we laughed often. I will miss my friend Kathy and am better for knowing her. As long as we remember a person, they’re not really gone.
My deepest sympathy for your loss and prayers to you and your family. Kathy was an amazing woman, who filled the room with joy and laughter simply with her smile. Im deeply saddened to know of her passing. And I will always remember her kindness and her joy of living.🙏🏼
I have known Kathy since our beginnings in Parkchester.
Kathy has always had a sweet, compassionate and loving disposition
She is a beautiful soul ;and will be greatly missed
Kathy, Rest In Peace and in God’s Love!
Sincerely Pat Duggan Garza
Love to Noreen and her siblings
Dear Kara ,Jimmy and Brian and families My condolences to all of you on the loss of your beloved mom. Although I have not seen her in the last couple of years, I have thought of her often and remember with great affection meeting Gene and Kathy in Germany when Jimmy was a baby. We spent a few days together in
Heidelberg . They then visited us ,the Nilans ,in London before returning to the U.S . I always admired Kathy’s adventurous spirit and good humor . I know she will be missed by many especially her children and grandchildren. May Kathy rest in God‘s eternal peace . Kaye Nilan Richardson and family