Mrs. Catherine Shirley Hirsch, nee Pardo, wife of the late Thomas E. Hirsch Jr., to whom she was married for over 50 years, peacefully departed this world on April 3, 2023, surrounded by her family. Shirley was 88 years old.
She is survived by her sister, Susan Stansbury, and three children, Thomas E. Hirsch III (Valerie) of Chester, Md., Patricia Ann Ahlquist, nee Hirsch, (John) of Stevensville, Md., and Patrick Francis Hirsch (Judilee) of Onancock. Shirley has two grandchildren by Thomas and Valerie Hirsch, Edward T. Hirsch, engaged to Emily T. DeCamillis, and William A. Hirsch serving in the U.S. Navy; and two grandchildren by Patricia and John Ahlquist, Katie Josephine Williams (Matthew) and Kelsey Ann Kokkinakos (Nicholas); three great-grandchildren, Brooks Cole and Emersyn Layke Williams and Nikon T. Kokkinakos.
Shirley’s parents were Anthony Pardo and Catherine Pappas, nee Selin. Born and raised in Baltimore, Shirley was a graduate of the Institute of Notre Dame. Years later, she obtained her associate teaching degree at Anne Arundel Community College. She retired as a teacher’s assistant in the early 2000s. In 2001, she and her husband moved from Arnold, Md., where she raised her family, to Onancock.
Shirley was a lifelong follower of the Roman Catholic faith. She was an active parishioner at St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park, Md., for 40 years. She was a member of the Lay Carmelite associated with St. Luke’s Parish in Ocean City, Md., and an altar acolyte, Eucharistic minister, confirmation teacher and minister to migrant workers, and a member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary #6963 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Onley. She also volunteered for many years at the pregnancy center in Onley.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to St. Peter’s Church at 25236 Coastal Boulevard, Onley, VA 23418 or ANPC Women’s Pregnancy Center, 26064 Onley Road, Onley, VA 23418.
There will be a celebration of Shirley’s life at St. John the Evangelist Church, 689 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD 21146, on April 20, 2023, starting at 11 a.m., followed by a reception for her family and friends at Café Mezzanotte, 760 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD 21146.
