Obituary of M. Aileen Rourke

M. Aileen Rourke, 73, of Iowa City, died Friday, October 19, 2012, at the Iowa City Rehab and Care Center. Funeral mass will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, October 23, 2012, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa City with visitation Monday from 5-8 p.m. at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service with a vigil service beginning at 7:30 p.m. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Iowa City Animal Shelter (Friends of the Animal Shelter Foundation), Iowa City Hospice or an organization of your choice. Mary Aileen Rourke was born October 9, 1939, in Iowa City; daughter of Russell R. and Ella E. (Misel) Rourke. She attended schools in Iowa City graduating from City High in 1957. She went onto attend the Iowa City Commercial College and SE Missouri State College. After her schooling, she was a secretary at the UI School of Journalism and then at the office of Surgical Services, P.C. from which she retired in 2001; after 36 years of service. Although Aileen never married, she always enjoyed the company of children; especially her nieces and nephews and their children, most of whom always enjoyed their occasional "Aunt Aileen Day." She enjoyed playing with pets too, especially her beloved cats Kit and Ivy. She also enjoyed reading and collecting Iowa City history. Her family includes her sister; Lois Barber of Iowa City; brother, Rollin (Carolyn) Rourke of rural Iowa City; nieces and nephews and their children including, Keri Barber and her children, Rio, Alondra and Markez Fox; nephew, R. Richard (Mandy) Rourke and children, Creigh, Cassidy, Colby and Cuyler; nephew, Brice (Sarah) Barber and son, William; niece, Renee (Mark) Fisher and children, Bridget, Brock and Brendan; niece, Robin (Jeff) Manson and children, Steiger and Kinze. Aileen was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, Bernard Barber. Aileen's family would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to Holden Cancer Center, Iowa City Hospice and Iowa City Care and Rehab for their skillful and loving care.