WORCESTER-Mary Virginia “Bebe” (Miree) Wirtz, 68, of 17 Drexel Street, formerly of Birmingham, AL died Wednesday, August 31st in Memorial Hospital. She leaves 2 sons; Nelson Wirtz of Brewster and Andrew Wirtz of NYC, 2 daughters; Lila Katherine Smith of Worcester and Eunice G. Youmans of Washington, DC, 4 granddaughters; Alexis, Emma, Isabella and Madeline, a step-brother; Bud, 4 step-sisters; Marilyn, Sandra, Becky and Shelly.
She was born in Birmingham, AL the daughter of Willis T. and Mary Virginia (Hawkins) Miree and earned her Masters Degree from Smith College. Mrs. Wirtz was employed as a social worker for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for 30 years, until her retirement. Previously she worked as an inner city social worker in Milwaukee and in New York City in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. She was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Worcester and the Church of the Advent and St. Andrews Church in Birmingham, AL. She volunteered teaching English as a second language in Alabama and in Massachusetts, volunteered as a tour guide for Old Sturbridge Village and for the Red Cross Disaster Relief and worked as a literacy volunteer at the Masonic Home in Charlton. Bebe enjoyed traveling, bike riding, her grandchildren and visiting bookstores.
Mrs. Wirtz had graciously donated her body to science. A memorial service will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, September 10th, in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 921 Pleasant Street. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief, 2000 Century Drive, West Boylston, MA 01583 or to Meals on Wheels of Worcester, 799 West Boylston Street, Worcester, MA, 01606. O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue is directing arrangements.