Mary Margaret Miso Hirak

Mary Margaret Miso Hirak, R.N., of 363 Atkins Ave, Lancaster, PA, passed into life everlasting with the Lord at age 86, at Lancaster General Hospital, surrounded by her loved ones, following declining health.  Mary was born in Bratislava, Slovakia and emigrated to the USA with her family at age 3, and became a U.S. citizen November 16, 1926.  She was raised in Jersey City, NJ by the late John and Mary (Kulman) Miso.  She married Michael “Tootie” E. Hirak on October 8^th, 1949.

Mary worked during her teens to support her family through the depression.  She obtained her nursing degree through night studies at Seton Hall University and proudly served in the Cadet Nurses Corp during WWII.  She became a nursing instructor and worked in the psychiatric units at Bellevue Hospital, New York City, until she moved to Lancaster, PA, in 1949, after marriage.  She worked private duty and at St. Joseph’s Hospital Psychiatric Unit, Lancaster, up to retirement. She was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Lancaster.

She is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Michael, Lancaster; son Thomas, Lancaster; daughter Liz and her husband Bill Field and grandchildren Daniel, Katie, and David of Iowa City, IA; daughter Michelle and her husband Carl Vorverk and grandchildren Heather and Carl of Lansdale, PA; daughter Mary and her husband Dave Gerni and grandchildren Carolyn and Ali of Dover, DE; sisters Annie Prussack, NJ; Helen Hresko, FL; Agnus X. Flower, NJ; and five nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents and a brother John, NJ. 

Mary is remembered for her grateful, joyous and devout spirit, her tenacity for living, her love to her family and friends, her words of encouragement and wisdom, and her kindness to many.  She will be greatly missed.

Friends will be received on Saturday from 9:30-10:30AM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 554 W. Walnut St., Lancaster, PA, with Mass to follow at 10:30AM. Interment in St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York NY 10018, for the support of research on Parkinson’s disease or to the Dominican Sisters of The Perpetual Rosary, 1834 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601.