Marie Rourk Harrison left this world peacefully on July 19, 2024, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.  She was born January 31, 1938, to the late Dr. M Henderson Rourk and Marie Foscue Rourk, in Wilmington, NC.  She joyfully lived most of her life in her hometown of Shallotte, NC, while also living at times in Myrtle Beach and Charlotte.

In addition to her parents, Marie was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Jack Harrison, her stepson, Tom Harrison; brother Dr. M Henderson Rourk, Jr.; Sister-in-law Jane Davis Rourk; and nephew Malcolm Rourk. 

She is survived by her stepsons Jack Harrison (Jane) of Atlanta, GA and Mike Harrison (Gale) of Ocean Isle Beach, NC; stepdaughter Eileen Stammetti (Bill) of Supply, NC; daughter-in-law Susan Harrison-Lambert of Salisbury, NC; nieces Caroline Rourk of Durham, NC and Elizabeth Hayden of Louisville, KY, nephew Peter Rourk of Cedar Grove, NC, and 14 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.

After graduating from Queens College in Charlotte and Katharine Gibbs School in New York, Marie fulfilled a lifelong dream of traveling around the world, settling for a time in Australia with family, where she worked for a year before returning to her beloved North Carolina.

Following in her parents’ footsteps, Marie believed in giving back to her community.  She served on many committees in Shallotte, including Shallotte Presbyterian Church, the Centennial Anniversary of the Town of Shallotte, Board of Trustees for the Rourk Library in Shallotte,  Friends of the Library and Save Sunnyside. Celebrating her lineage in the United States back to 1675, she was a member of the National Society Colonial Dames, Daughters of the American Colonists and Daughters of the American Revolution.

Marie had an incredible love for all animals.  In addition to her many dogs and cats, she cherished “every creature in the animal kingdom.”  She was once known to have found an injured frog on the road, stopped and took it to the vet to have it nurtured back to health!

The family would like to thank Dr. Kavita Persaud, the staff at the Commons of Brightmore, as well as caregivers and staff at Home Instead of Wilmington, all who provided care for Marie with great compassion and affection for the past seven years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Shallotte Presbyterian Church, Alzheimer’s’ Foundation or your local animal shelter.  Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease.  We lose our loved ones little by little and family members struggle as they navigate the changes in their loved ones, both mental and physical.  If you are so inclined, please honor Marie’s memory by spending some time with a person who is suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's, listening to stories of long-ago and providing some personal time for their caregivers. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 21, 2024 at 10:00AM in Shallotte Presbyterian Church.  The family will receive friends immediately following the service.  Arrangements are being handled by Brunswick Funeral Service Shallotte, NC.