Mrs. Mary Bourke Edwards, 86, of Lake Wylie, SC, passed away Friday, April 26, 2024, peacefully in her sleep at home surrounded by her family.

Mary was born March 12, 1938, in Clonmel, Ireland, to the late Maurice Bourke and Mary Daniels. She was the oldest of nine children. She moved to London, England, when she was a teenager. In her twenties, she met Thomas M. Edwards while he was stationed in London. They were married in 1961. They had two daughters.  Mary loved to travel.  She embraced the Navy wife life. She, Thomas, and their girls went all over the world and were stationed in  California, Japan, and Italy before settling in Goose Creek, South Carolina. She began working at Robert Bosch in the late 70’s. She retired after Thomas unexpectedly died in 1993. For the next 30 years, she moved back and forth between Duncan, SC, and Lake Wylie, SC, to be where she was most needed.  She was very involved in all of her grandchildren’s lives. She loved being outside and loved animals, especially her dogs. She loved to dance and go on trips. She had many gifts, but her best gift was the confidence and love she instilled in her family. 

Stateside, she is survived by her daughters, Sherry E. Jenkins and Julie E. Van Slambrook; Julie’s husband, Kent R. Van Slambrook, and their daughters, Vanessa and Jackie; Sherry’s daughter Tracy Biering-Waterhouse and her husband, Dave Waterhouse; and Tracy’s children Ellette Dillard, Errol Dillard, and Aemilia Cervantes. Sherry’s sons Jonathan Porter and Steven Porter. Steven’s wife, Rhiannon, and their daughter, Eliana. Jonathan’s son Samuel.  Her sister-in-law, Ann Edwards, and Brother-in-law, Larry Edwards, and his wife, June. She also has many beloved nieces and nephews.

Across the pond, she is survived by her sisters Bridget Dooley Daniels, Anne Daniels, Patricia Daniels Keane, and brother Gerry Daniels, all of Clonmel, Co Tipperary. Her brother, Edward Daniels, and his wife, Maureen, live in London. She also has many beloved nieces and nephews in England and Ireland. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 11, 2024, at M. L. Ford & Sons Funeral Home, 4820 Charlotte Hwy., Lake Wylie, SC, with the Rev. Bruce Jones officiating.  The family will receive friends one hour before the service, beginning at 12:00 noon.

Memorials may be made to Via Health Partners, 1057 Red Ventures Drive, Suite 150, Fort Mill, SC 29707.

M. L. Ford & Sons Funeral Home, Lake Wylie, SC is serving the family of Mrs. Edwards.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.