Mary Louise Kirkpatrick Breene

| July 31, 2017

Mary Louise Kirkpatrick Breene of Oil City, widow of William E. Breene, died peacefully at home on July 26, 2017.

Born November 4, 1918 in Oak Park, IL, she was the daughter of Harold Harvey Kirkpatrick and Lydia Catherine Kitterman Kirkpatrick.

Her childhood was spent in Chicago and La Grange IL, and then in Westfield, NJ, where she graduated from high school in 1936.

Mrs. Breene was a 1940 graduate of Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and history. She then completed a one year executive secretarial course for college graduates at the Katherine Gibbs School in New York City. During the following year, she worked as a legal secretary for the law firm of Woodside Hutchinson and Scott in Harrisburg, PA.

On September 6 1941 She married William Edmund Breene, a native of Oil City, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Westfield, NJ. They lived in Carlisle, PA and New York City until 1946 when they moved to Oil City. Her husband preceded her in death on March 16, 2005.

Surviving are three daughters: Barbara Hoelscher (Wolfgang) of Gauting Germany, Roberta Breene of Fort Pierce, FL, and Christine Breene of Mill Creek, PA, and six grandchildren: Susanna and Caroline Hoelscher of Germany; Theodore G. Williams III (Ashley) and Lydia Williams (Scott) of Florida; and Alice and William Adren Breene of PA. Also surviving are five great-grandchildren: Lorenzo and Elisa Hoelscher; and Sophia, Andrew and Taylor Williams.

Preceding her in death were also her sister-in-law, Mary Louise Breene Mountain, a brother-in-law, John Earl Breene and his wife, Gladene Breene.

While residing in Oil City, Mrs. Breene became an avid bridge player, playing in one bridge club for over seventy years. She was also active in many civic and volunteer groups including: Meals on Wheels, Hospital Snack Bar, Hospital Auxiliary, Hospital Board, Polk State School Board (one term as president), Christ Episcopal Church Women), Christ Church Altar Guild), Diocesan Altar Guild, Belles Lettres Club (more than 50-year member and past president), Oil City Garden Club (term as treasurer), Wanango Country Club Board, and the 100 Club.

In younger years, she and her husband were enthusiastic dancers and often seen swirling around the dance floor. They enjoyed traveling and especially enjoyed their annual March visits to St. Barth’s with Oil City friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday August 5, at Christ Episcopal Church, 16 Central Ave., Oil City. The family will receive friends in the parish hall of the church following the service.

Private interment will be in Grove Hill Cemetery.

The Morrison Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Please visit the Tribute Wall at www.morrisonhome.com to share a memory or leave a condolence.


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Category: Obituaries