Mary Irwin

Mrs. Irwin, 89, of Charlotte, NC passed away peacefully at her residence in Sharon Towers on August 6, 2011. She was born on July 26, 1922 in Hartwell, Georgia; the daughter of the late Broadus Brown Zellars and Ora Gains Zellars.

She grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and attended Agnes Scott College. Mrs. Irwin married Dr. John R. Irwin on September 20, 1942. They were married for 59 wonderful years. During the war while Dr. Irwin was overseas, Mrs. Irwin worked for the Bell Aircraft Corporation in Marietta, Georgia building the famous B-29 Superfortress. She and Dr. Irwin moved to Charlotte in 1945 when Dr. Irwin began his dental practice. She was a long time member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church and the Mecklenburg Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was best known as a devoted wife and mother as well as a faithful friend to many people in Charlotte. Mrs. Irwin loved to work in her garden and she found time to become a masterful cook. Her true passion was her six grandchildren whom she mentored and supported over the past three decades.

Mrs. Irwin is survived by her son, John Robinson IV and his wife Carrie Fletcher Irwin of Charlotte. In addition, survivors include daughters-in-law Elvyn Seymour Irwin and Clara Conover Irwin; six grandchildren Catherine Irwin Hailes, John Robinson Irwin V, Robert Zellars Irwin, Winston Irwin Marosek, Henderson McKnitt Irwin, and Andrew Fletcher Irwin; four great grandchildren Brent and Harper Hailes and Lucy and Fisher Marosek. She was predeceased by her son Ralph Zellars Irwin in 1989, and her husband John Robinson Irwin in 1991.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Sharon Towers for the care and comfort Mary received during her time there. This would include a special thank you to the staff of the healthcare unit.

The family will receive friends in the Sharon Room at Sharon Towers on Friday, August 12, 2011 from 3:00-4:00 o’clock. A service for her family at Myers Park Presbyterian Church Columbarium will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in memory of Mrs. Irwin be made to Sharon Towers, 5100 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28210, and designated for the Residents Assistance Fund.