Obituary of Martha Brier Bailey Kirk

Martha Brier Bailey Kirk, died May 26th at the age of 69 at Rosenthal Hospice of Stamford after her courageous 20 year battle against breast cancer. Also known fondly as "Marty", she embraced her life fully and touched the lives of so many as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, nurse and dear friend. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, December 17, 1940 to Muriel Margaret Gertrude Brier Bailey and Edwin Theodore Bailey, the family soon moved to Darien CT, living on Brookside Road and later in a home designed by her father on Gorham's Pond. A graduate of Mary Burnham School in 1958 and St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing, New York, NY in 1962, Martha was a life long giver as a professional trained nurse, hospice nurse and active community volunteer. Martha married William A. Kirk, at St. Luke's Parish in Darien, on August 24th, 1963. After starting their family in Newport, RI, they moved to the Upper West Side of Manhattan and then to Brooklyn Heights before returning to Darien in 1976. She started her career as a nurse in New York City and then became a private duty nurse and active Hospice nurse in Darien and Stamford. Not able to leave her gift of helping others, she then worked at Stoney Brook Court/Atria in Darien until she officially retired several years ago. Nursing was but one part of her busy life that always included caring for others. Honoring her unending commitment to helping others, Martha was the recipient of the Darien Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievement. She founded the following programs: Gallivant (shuttle service for seniors and handicapped), Operation Reassurance (visiting people living alone), and Dial-A-Book (a library program for delivering literature to at home town residents). Martha also volunteered for Meals on Wheels and for many years served on the Board of the Town Commission on Aging and the Salvation Army. In recognition of her tremendous service to her community the Town of Darien proclaimed April 21, 1999 as "Martha Kirk Day." She was also twice awarded the JC Penny Golden Rule award for volunteerism. She is fondly remembered as an active member of 'Women at the Well' at St Luke's Parish. A lifelong resident of Darien, she could often be seen around town on her Vespa scooter running errands, visiting friends, patients, or in the bleachers at the Ox Ridge Horse Show. She enjoyed traveling and would drive anywhere to see or help a friend and she never stopped making friends wherever she went. She and her husband enjoyed many trips: boating the eastern seaboard, traveling to Europe and Japan. Martha frequently hosted friends out on the Long Island Sound and was a member of the Darien Boat Club and Norwalk Yacht Club. She was a lover of the arts; frequenting New York for shows, concerts or performances at the Met or Opera in the park. She was also a tried & true Yankee fan. Martha is survived by her devoted husband and companion of 47 years, William A. Kirk; son Andrew and his wife Yuko of San Jose, CA; son Christopher and wife Elizabeth of Barrington, RI and her four grandchildren; Kai, Hanna, Tyler and Lily. She was their very special "Gran" and they were her life. She is also survived by brothers Edwin "Pete" Bailey of Albuquerque, NM and Don Carlos Buell of Lexington, MA and sister Sarah Dowling of St. Simon's Island, GA. In addition to her family, many friends throughout the world mourn her passing, including her beloved Black Lab Moxie. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 12 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Luke's Parish, Darien, with the Rev. David R. Anderson presiding. It was her wish that all who attend wear bright colors. Memorial gifts in Martha's memory can be made to: �St. Luke's Parish, 1864 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820 �Memorial Sloan-Kettering Breast Center, c/o Dr. Jacqueline Bromberg, 300 E. 66th St., NY, NY 10065 �Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care of SW CT, 1266 E. Main Street, Stamford, CT 06902 She rests at peace in sanctuary the Columbarium at St. Luke's Parish in Darien Connecticut. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820