Mary E. Dorsey Callahan Kirchner, 70 of Moundsville, West Virginia passed away peacefully on July 22, 2021 at Liza’s Place. She was born February 21, 1951 in Keyser, West Virginia. She was preceded in death by her parents Phyllis and Bernard Dorsey, and her first husband, David Callahan.
She is survived by her husband, John J. Kirchner and siblings: Frances Sommers (Glenn), Barbara Albers (Bill), Helen Kelly (Ron) and Bernard Dorsey (Donna); brothers-in-law Bruce, Bryan (Lupe), Tim (Lisa) and Dr. Loren (Mabel) Kirchner, sister-in-law Michelle Montesano (Jay); Aunts Frances Deegan, Mary Clara Lambert (Jim) and Ruth Dorsey; several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and many cousins.
Mary came from five generations of railroad workers and grew up riding on passenger trains between Ohio and West Virginia. She shared a love of trains with her husband, John. Mary loved attending family gatherings and enjoyed spending time with her siblings, nieces and nephews. She was very compassionate and volunteered for Valley Hospice, Faith in Action Caregivers, ARC and the Senior Center.
Mary received her Undergraduate Degree from Wheeling College and Master’s Degree from West Virginia University. She was employed by Ohio Valley Rehab and the West Virginia Division of Rehab Services prior to her retirement.
Friends will be received at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 118 Grant Avenue, Moundsville on Friday, August 13 from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Alphonsus Church, 2111 Market Street, Wheeling on Saturday, August 14 at 11 a.m.
The family wishes to thank Valley Hospice Liza’s Place Care Center South for their care and compassion during Mary’s illness. Those wishing to honor Mary can make a memorial donation to Valley Hospice, 10686 State Route 150, Rayland OH 43943.
Arrangements are in care of Altmeyer Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.altmeyerfuneralhomes.com.
MB I miss you. I will always Remember all the fun times. From when we first started working together at the spirit to all the festivals we went to. Some of our craft projects that went wrong. We laughed we laughed a lot! I know your in a good place because your heart was the best! Til we meet again, love and blessings!
I met Mary over 30 years ago when we were both interviewing to attend graduate school at WVU. Mary and I remained very close friends throughout those 30+ years. Mary was kind, generous, loving and a person of strong faith. I miss her physical presence but her spirit remains with us through Love and Light. Rest in peace my dear friend, Kare
I met Mary over ten years ago. She was always a kind and caring person. My thoughts and prayers are with her husband John and her family at this difficult time. Diana Jewell
Mary and I worked together at Ohio Valley Rehab. Mary was a loving, kind and thoughtful person. Very sorry to hear of her passing.
I have known Mary for almost 60 years. I had recently moved back from Fla. in 1964 and was enrolled in Holy Family school in Dayton, Ohio in the 8th.grade. Starting a new school in the eighth grade was frightening. Not knowing a soul, Mary was the one person to come up to me and introduce herself. We have been friends ever since. I was adopted into the Dorsey family as if I were one of their 5 children. We spent countless hours at each other’s houses. We were Maid of Honors in both of our weddings, took trips to many fun places. Time passes and life gets in the way – we lost touch for many years. This past year we started corresponding again. Little did we know what the next few months would bring. I am so thankful that we were both able to speak to each other before Mary passed. We remembered our fun trip to Fl and both had some laughs about our experiences. Because of medical reasons; I am not able to be present at Mary’s Celebration of Life. To the entire Dorsey family, please accept my sincere sympathies. Rest In Peace, my Dear Friend! I will love you always!