Felice C. (Hayes) O'Rourke

Mrs. Felice C. (Hayes) O’Rourke, 84, of Milford MA, died Friday, April 24, 2020. She was the beloved wife of the late Richard J. O’Rourke, who died in 2009.

Mrs. O’Rourke was born in Milford MA, the daughter of the late Joseph T. and the late Helen P. (Callery) Hayes. She attended St. Mary’s Grammar School and was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School, Milford, MA.

Mrs. O’Rourke was first employed as a young woman at the former Stylon Corporation in Milford, where she met her future husband. She later worked in the Milford school system as a teacher’s aide, at the Home National Bank in Milford and then at Tri-Valley Elder Service.

Felice lived in Milford her entire life, and was a lifelong communicant of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Milford. She served St. Mary’s Parish through her volunteer efforts over many years. She was a member of The Friends of the Old St. Mary’s Cemetery; The Irish Round Tower Club of Milford; had served as Executive Secretary for the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Milford; a member of the Greenleaf Garden Club and the Red Hat Club.

Mrs. O’Rourke found joy in her family and friends and contributing to her community. She loved to travel with her husband, family and friends and was especially fond of spending time during the summer on Cape Cod. She also enjoyed cooking and baking desserts from scratch, sewing, reading and ballroom dancing.   On many afternoons, Felice could be found watching her beloved Red Sox, or cheering on the Patriots.

Mrs. O’Rourke is survived by her three children: Richard J. O’Rourke III and his wife Susan of Longwood FL, Catherine F. Becotte and her husband Robert G. Becotte Jr. of Newburyport MA and Kevin T. O’Rourke and his wife Megan of Blackstone MA; her grandchildren: Amanda Lavallee of Milford MA, Daniel O’Rourke and Patrick O’Rourke of Longwood FL, and Sullivan O’Rourke of Blackstone MA;  her step-grandchildren: Robert Becotte III of Newburyport MA, Sara Becotte of Jupiter FL, Meredith Becotte of Newburyport MA and  her step-great grandchild: Mavrik Reddy of Jupiter FL; her four siblings: Sheila Toomey of Arlington MA, Joseph Hayes of Milford MA, Kathleen Haran and her husband Robert of Worcester MA and Dr. David Hayes of South Dennis MA; also many nieces and nephews, and her brother-in-law: Earl Wagner of Milford MA.

Mrs. O’Rourke was also predeceased by her son Patrick D. O’Rourke of Milford MA who died in 1989, and her daughter Maureen H. O’Rourke of Savannah GA who died in 2000; and her sister Patricia Wagner of Milford.

In accordance with the COVID-19 restrictions a Private Graveside Committal Service will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Milford MA. A Memorial Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Milford MA for family members and friends to attend will be held on a day and time to be announced, once the social gathering restrictions have been lifted. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA. .

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to make a memorial donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at  https://www.michaeljfox.org/donate     or   to The St. Mary of the Assumption Church Renovation Fund, c/o St. Mary’s Church Offices, 17 Winter Street, Milford MA 01757.

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