Leontia Margaret (Lancaster) Kirk died peacefully on Sunday, May 26 at the age of 91. She was born on September 15, 1932, not in a hospital but rather in Historic Old New Castle in her home. She was the only child of the late Andrew B. Lancaster and Margaret Taylor. She was a native of Old New Castle.

A life-long member of Saint Peter's (cradle to the grave,) it was there that she received all of her sacraments including the Sacrament of Matrimony. She attended Saint Peters grade school and high school graduating in the class of 1950. After graduation she went to work as a secretary and then as an executive secretary for the DuPont Company.

She was discerning a vocation to religious life with the Sisters of Saint Francis of Glen Riddle, however after a blind date she attended her senior prom with a young man by the name of James T Kirk. They later married on December 29, 1951.

Leontia was a faithful and devoted Catholic woman. Even though she never entered the convent, she lived her vocation in service to the church specifically at Saint Peter the Apostle in Old New Castle where over the years she participated in a variety of different ministries.

She was blessed with a good, long, fun life. In her younger days, she enjoyed raising her boys, knitting, crocheting, dancing, traveling, and especially spending time at the Delaware beaches with her family and friends. She liked a good party, and she also knew how to host one. She really enjoyed a good well-made VO Manhattan.

She was very family oriented, and she especially cherished her six grandchildren.

Leontia was preceded in death by her husband James T. Kirk Sr, as well as her grandson Andrew J. (AJ) Kirk. She is survived by her children, Father James T. Kirk, Jr., Kenneth G. Kirk, Gerard S. Kirk Sr., and Thomas G. Kirk (Julie) as well as 5 grandchildren, Catherine M. Abel (Ryan) Morgan D. Kinard (Calvin) Bryan E. Kirk, Dylan T. Kirk., and Gerard S. Kirk Jr., and her recently born great grandson, Jack Thomas Abel.

She will be missed by many people, not the least of which are her New Castle friends with whom she grew up, attended school, and enjoyed lifelong friendships, as well as professional colleagues and coworkers. Additionally, she will be missed by the Pollio family whom she loved as her own.

Leontia spent her last two years of her life at Wilmington Nursing and Rehabilitation (formerly Manor Care) in North Wilmington where she was blessed by the dedicated service of their nurses and staff. The family thanks them for their goodness.

Friends may call on Friday, May 31, 2024 beginning at 9:30 am at Saint Peter's Church with a mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will immediately follow in the Glebe Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family would be honored by a contribution in her memory to Saint Peter the Apostle Church, 521 Harmony Street, New Castle, DE, 19720