Westborough – Maureen (O”Rourke) Hunter, 56, passed away in her home Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, with family by her side, after a long illness.
She is survived by two sons, Andrew and Glenn Gambardella, both in Doylestown, Penn.: a sister, Gale Racine and her husband Richard of Shrewsbury; a sister-in-law, Nancy O”Rourke of Shrewsbury; two step-brothers, Jay Kraft and his wife Takako in New York and William Kraft of Worcester; her godmother, Alice Soloperto; four nephews, Michael Racine, Edward and Thomas O”Rourke, and Howard Kraft; a niece and goddaughter, Jenna Racine; and extended family, including her supportive cousin, Thomas LaCava, MD, and many friends. She was predeceased by her brother, Edward W. O”Rourke Jr., who passed away in April 2011.
Born May 20, 1955 in Worcester, she was a daughter of the late Edward W. O”Rourke Sr. and Jennie M. (Soloperto) O”Rourke. She grew up in Shrewsbury, graduated from Shrewsbury High School, and earned her Bachelor's degree from Worcester State College and Juris Doctorate from Western New England School of Law. She lived nearly half her life in Shrewsbury and several years in Doylestown, Penn. before moving back to the Worcester area.
Mrs. Hunter worked as a lawyer in general practice in Pennsylvania before retiring due to illness. After retirement, she volunteered her time with the UMass Memorial Hospice.
She was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. She was a very spiritual and meticulous woman, who enjoyed reading, cooking, and especially her boys and family. Her life was characterized by enormous courage to confront the many adversities which she encountered. She was a committed Catholic, a member of the Legion of Mary, had a devotion to the Saints, and a consistent, sincere and authentic prayer life with the Holy Trinity.
Her funeral will be held Saturday, Feb. 18, from the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St., Worcester, with a Mass at 9 a.m. in Our Lady of Mt Carmel-St Ann Church, 24 Mulberry St. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery. Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family Friday, Feb. 17, from 5 to 8 p.m., in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, National Processing Center, Attn: Honor & Memorial Gifts, P.O. Box, 1245 Albert Lea, MN 56007-9976.
