Mary Kate Belk Cline

Mary Kate Cline, 61, passed away on June 11, 2019 surrounded by her family. Born on July 10, 1957, she was the daughter of the late James Hazel Belk and Marianne Niven Belk. A Monroe native, Mary Kate was educated in the Monroe City Schools before attending Queens University. She later transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis on accounting. Her distinguished career included roles as a CPA, software consultant, business owner, and CFO. Mary Kate grew up in the United Methodist Church and, as an adult, was a 30-year member of Christ Lutheran Church in Charlotte. She was a member of the Acorn Book Club and the Waxhaw Chapter of Daughters of the American Colonists, where she acted as treasurer. A loving wife, mother, and daughter-in-law, Mary Kate is survived by her husband of 37 years, Dale Cline; three children, Matthew Cline and wife Allison Cline of Annapolis, MD; Sarah Hofmeister-Cline and wife Jamie Hofmeister-Cline of Cornelius, NC; and Hannah Curtis and husband Jed Curtis of Roanoke, VA; and father-in-law, Ben Cline, Sr. of Charlotte, NC. She is also survived by two brothers, Jim Belk of King, NC; and David Belk and wife Lisa Belk of Charlotte, NC; and sister-in-law Fran Cline Pangle of Henderson, KY. Mary Kate was predeceased by her parents, James H. Belk and Marianne Belk; brother, John Belk; mother-in-law, Ann Vernice Cline; sister-in-law, Eileen Belk; and brother-in-law, Ben Cline, Jr. Mary Kate cherished meaningful relationships in all areas of her life. She spent her childhood in Monroe with family and friends riding bikes, playing pranks, singing Johnny Cash, and playing bridge. As an adult, she built strong friendships with neighbors in Oxford Hunt, friends and mentors from Charlotte Parent Magazine, members of Christ Lutheran, and the families of her children’s spouses. She loved to dream up recipes to share at monthly book club gatherings. If you needed her in the evening, she could usually be found socializing with neighbors and her beloved dogs out back by the garden. It was always fun to follow her photo documentation of the growth of the Cline tomato forest throughout the summer. A ride in the car with Mary Kate always carried a background track of Broadway classics, and Prairie Home Companion was a Sunday favorite. To her family, Mary Kate was a compassionate caregiver, cheerleader, listening ear, dog lover, avid rose and tomato gardener, witty pun enthusiast, and the ultimate pound cake baker. She will be dearly missed. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church on Providence Road in Charlotte. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Christ Lutheran Church or Maggie Lu’s Safe Haven Rescue.