Mary Kirkwood Barr

Mary Kirkwood Barr, 95, of Coatesville, PA, passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023, in West Chester, PA.  She was the wife of the late Duncan McKellar Barr who passed away in 1997.  Born in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, she was the daughter of the late James Banks Jack and Margaret Hoggan Jack.

Mary is one of fifteen children. Unfortunately, five of them died during childhood. Since Mary was the third oldest, she was like a second mother to the youngest children. She was always there to protect them. In fact, she would stand up and fight anyone who would bully her younger siblings. She was very loyal to her family and they meant so much to her.

Mary met her husband when she served in the British Army. She joined the Army at the age of 17 to try and help put an end to the reign of Adolph Hitler. It was in the Army where she met the love of her life. Her beloved husband Duncan.

Duncan and Mary were married for 49 years. They were the best of friends and spent countless hours together. She loved being a housewife. She loved to dance, knit, sew, embroider, and assist her husband with whatever he needed help with.

She immigrated to America in 1962. Which was very difficult for her because that meant she would have to leave her family behind.  Mary first worked in a factory as a seamstress. Then got a job with the Philadelphia National Bank. She worked in the international division where she was tasked with handling letters of credit . She loved working at the bank and was promoted to supervisor.

She loved visiting Scotland. She also loved taking vacations with her brothers. She went on a number of cruises with her brother Walter and his wife Janet.

She is survived by her daughter, Margaret White of Coatesville, and 3 siblings; Walter, William, and Alex.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 8, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. from the Wilde Funeral Home, Parkesburg, PA, with visitation starting at 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.  Interment will be held later that afternoon at Hillside Cemetery in Roslyn, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com