Maureen F. O'Rourke

Mrs. Maureen F. O’Rourke, 64, of Lititz, PA, formerly of Wantage, NJ, died Monday evening, December 21, 2020 following a long illness.

Born November 26, 1956 in Englewood, NJ, she was the daughter of Elizabeth “Betty” Downes Fischer of New Jersey, and the late James B. Fischer Jr. She was married on March 31st 1984 in Englewood, NJ to Mr. James R. O’Rourke, who survives.

She was a graduate of River Dell High School, Class of 1974, earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Montclair State University and her Masters’ Degree in Behavioral Psychology also from Montclair State University.

Maureen had been employed as a Special Education Teacher and department coordinator with Lounsberry Hollow Middle School in Vernon, NJ for over 30 years. Maureen was an accomplished educator who excelled as a teacher of special needs students. She was well respected by both her peers and administrators as a teacher who brought both creativity and technology into her classroom environment to assist her students in achieving success in their academic programs. Maureen was honored for her many contributions to the Vernon school system by being named the district wide teacher of the year.

She was an active member of the Vernon Township Teachers Union, Sussex County Education Association, Northwest Jersey Reading Council, and the New Jersey Education Association.

Maureen was an accomplished artist who also enjoyed music, and traveling to the Jersey shore, especially Long Beach Island.

Surviving besides her husband are: a daughter, Courtney (Matthew) Burkarth, Lancaster, PA; a grandson, Jackson Burkarth, Lancaster, PA; four sisters, Patricia (John) Mac Kercher, Kathleen (Gary) Marchut, Elizabeth (Robert) Koller, a brother, James M. (Evelin) Fischer, all from New Jersey, and many nieces and nephews.

The public is welcome to pay their respects at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Funeral Home, 25 River Street in Salamanca, on Tuesday, December 29th from 2-4pm and 7-9pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Name of Mary RC Church, Ellicottville, NY on December 30th at 10 a.m. As a result of COVID restrictions, the mass will be for family only.

Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Ellicottville, NY.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.