Nov. 26, 2021, services are planned for Sandra W. O’Rourke who passed away December 12, 2020.
Updated: Nov 29, 2021
DANVILLE, PA - Services are planned for Sandra W. O’Rourke who passed away December 12, 2020.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 26, 2021, at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 68 Center Street, Danville, PA with Father Timothy D. Marcoe as Celebrant. Friends will be received from 10:00 AM until 10:45 AM at the church.
Relatives and friends are also invited to attend a Celebration of Sandra’s Life that will be held the same day, Friday, November 26, 2021, at 1:00PM in The Beveridge Family Life Center, First Baptist Church, 12 Brookside Drive (off Route 642 East), Danville, PA. (Lower parking lot entrance)
Arrangements are under the direction of Visneski Funeral Home, Inc. 42 West Mahoning Street Danville PA 17821.
Link to blog: http://terence-orourkejr.squarespace.com/my-mother-sandra-orourke
Links: Facebook.com/visneskifh ~ Twitter.com/visneskifh ~ www.Visneski.com
ORIGINAL OBITUAURY AS PUBLISED DEC. 13, 2020, BELOW:
Sandra W. O’Rourke, 84, of Danville, PA, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2020 at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville PA. She was born March 28, 1936 in Newport PA the daughter of the late James M. and Mary Jane Metz Wilson.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 59 years, Dr. Terence O’Rourke of Danville PA. They were married September 30, 1961.
She graduated from Newport High School in Newport PA in 1954 and from Juniata College with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Sandy then graduated as a Registered Nurse from Harrisburg Hospital School of Nursing.
She was employed as a nurse at Harrisburg Hospital, the Selinsgrove Center and Maria Joseph Manor. She thoroughly enjoyed being a Practical Nursing Instructor at the DeLong School in Washingtonville PA.
A committed and faithful servant, her impact on the community was significant. Sandy was a Cub Scout Leader, Brownie and Junior Girl Scout Leader. One of the many gifts that God gave her was in getting projects organized. She was the Montour County Heart Association Chairperson in 1970 and was President of the Geisinger Medical Center Auxiliary. She co-chaired two fundraising community productions of Broadway type shows. Sandy opened her heart to receive Jesus and from then on, her desire was to do His will and listen to His Spirit.
In 1988, she started the Mission Committee at Grove Presbyterian Church. She was also the Chairperson of the Danville Area Food Bank for nine years where she expanded it to include all of the local churches. She helped establish the Jubilee Kitchen and co-chaired the Task Force for the Gate House to get it started and served on the Board for several years. In 1995, she began the Good Samaritan Crisis Fund sponsored by the local churches and has Chaired the Fund since its inception. Sandy began the Furniture Fund in 1997 followed by the clothing arm of the Mission in 2003, serving as the co-chairperson, until her recent retirement.
In 1998, she joined St. Joseph Catholic Church where she served for six years on the Parish Council and started an active Peace and Social Justice Committee. She helped to start mission trips to Honduras, New Orleans, and with the Youth Heart Work Camp. She went to Honduras in 2003 and 2005. She enjoyed serving on the Maria Joseph Continuing Care Community Board for six years.
God gave Sandy a heart for the poor and she loved helping them and getting to know them.
Above all, Sandy was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and friend who will be deeply missed by them all. Being a homemaker was her greatest joy in life in her earlier years and her family continued to be at the core of her heart each day she lived.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons; Terence L. O’Rourke, Jr., M.D. of Washington DC and Christopher L. O’Rourke and his wife Amanda of Danville PA and three daughters; Jennifer O. Wentworth and her husband Shaun of Framingham MA, Kelly O. Mills and her husband Mike of Danville PA and Candace O. Hough and her husband Bob of Havre de Grace, MD.
Also surviving are eleven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by five sisters; Joyce Hartman of Lancaster PA; Anne Wilson of Duncannon PA, Jean Gearhart of Duncannon PA, Hazel Wright of Lancaster PA, and Linda Goldhart of Duncannon PA. She was preceded in death by one brother, James Wilson.
A Celebration of Sandy’s Life will be announced at a later date. See above for details.
Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to the Good Samaritan Mission PO Box 114 Danville PA.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Visneski Funeral Home, Inc. 42 West Mahoning Street Danville PA 17821.
Links: Facebook.com/visneskifh ~ Twitter.com/visneskifh ~ www.Visneski.com