Mary H. Burr, 83, of Xenia, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at Elmcroft of Xenia. She was born January 21, 1934, in Utica, New York, the daughter of Edward and Mary Welch Hobbes. She is survived by eight sons, Paul Burr, and Thomas (Cindy) Burr, all of Xenia, Mark (Michelle) Burr, Naples, FL, Kevin (Pam) Burr, West Carrollton, Robert (Carin) Burr, Xenia, Daniel (Melanie) Burr, Southaven, MS, Matt (Mary) Burr, Xenia, and Jonathan (Amanda) Burr, Dayton, 17 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, three brothers, Rev. Thomas F. Hobbes, Binghamton, NY, William (M.J.) Hobbes, Utica, NY, and John (Barbara) Hobbes, Stony Brook, NY, by several cousins, nieces and nephews, and by many close and dear friends.  Mary began her R.N. nursing career by graduating from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing (SECON) in Utica, NY.  After graduation she married Nathan Burr and moved to Jamestown, Ohio and started a family, which eventually led to the raising of eight boys in Xenia, Ohio, all of whom graduated from St. Brigid School and Carroll H.S. in Dayton, Ohio.  She was especially proud of these accomplishments.  Her first nursing job was at Greene  Memorial Hospital in Xenia. She was also employed by various nursing homes in the area, and retired from Liberty Nursing Home (presently Pristine Assisted Living) in Xenia after 19 years as the director of nursing.  She was an active member of St. Brigid Church for over 60 years. At St. Brigid she was involved in many Church activities, but the majority of her time was spent preparing all year for the Christmas bazaar and festival flea market.  She also spent many hours of her time making phone calls for the bereavement committee and making food items, especially many kinds of desserts.  According to Mary, she lived a full life since she was able to visit Ireland, and retrace some of her family history, while also traveling to Washington D.C. to see Pope Benedict XVI.   March 8 is the feast day of St. John of God.  He is the patron saint of many causes, especially of hospitals, hospital workers, nurses, the sick, and the dying.  March 8 is also International Women's Day, National Cereal Day (Mary had a bowl of Cheerios every morning for breakfast), and National Peanut Cluster Day (Mary loved her sweets).  On this date in 1711, the following prayer by the Englishman Joseph Addison was first published:

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

If I should die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my soul to take.

Inside Mary's home in Xenia, there is a small plaque by the outside door with the following Irish blessing:

Keep your Irish eyes ever smiling.

On Tuesday March 7, 2017 at Elmcroft, a lone Irishman sang Irish songs for an hour in the open area.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am, Wednesday, March 15, at St. Brigid Church, 312 Fairground Rd., Xenia. Visitation will be held from 5-8pm Tuesday at Neeld Funeral Home, 1276 N. Detroit St., Xenia. Burial will be in St. Brigid Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Brigid Memorial Fund, 312 Fairground Rd., Xenia, Ohio, 45385, in her memory. Condolences may be made to the family at www.NeeldFuneralHome.com.