How do you explain how one lady with no fanfare sews people together and makes a thriving family? How do you explain if you stop by with your family she can make a seven course meal in 15 minutes while talking and saying it is no problem? How do you explain the rolls that were lighter than cotton candy? How do you explain how she took care of our children during their developing years as we were getting our own parenting legs? How do you remind people she worked through the Great Depression, World Wars and made other valuable history that is not taught in schools today?
If it was possible to answer these questions, the explanations would only begin to describe this extraordinary woman, Mary M. McGuire, age 91, of Marion, who died peacefully early Sunday morning, September 14, 2014, at the Morning View Pointe in Marion following an extended illness.
On May 15, 1923, Mary was born at her home in Forest, Ohio, the daughter of the late Burris and Elsie (Liles) McCollough. She was raised in Marseilles, where she would graduate from high school in the Class of 1941. Throughout her life, she continued attending her class reunions and remained close with her fellow classmates.
Mary was introduced through mutual friends to a young Veteran who had returned home to Marion from World War II, John McGuire. Soon thereafter, they were married on February 1, 1947. Together they lovingly raised five children and shared 67 wonderful years of marriage.
First and foremost, Mary was a loving homemaker for her husband and five children and Grandchildren. A wonderful cook, seamstress and green thumb. Always selfless, Mary made sure all of our needs were taken care of.
Despite being faithfully dedicated to her family, she also made time to work as a bookkeeper at Smith’s Clothing Store, Dickerson Foods, Marion County Bank, and National City Bank. Lastly, she took care of the books for their family’s business selling Mac Tools.
Having a green thumb, Mary loved tending to her flower garden. Every year she would look forward to planting, caring, freezing and canning. She also, she enjoyed sewing closes, quilts and crafts.
People loved being around her and her laughter. Friends would join them playing cards and dancing regularly. Oh how she could laugh and enjoy life.
With a love for traveling and the outdoors, Mary and her family enjoyed their many camping trips. Their expeditions began in a converted school bus, and they would progressively get more sophisticated ending up with multiple recreational vehicles. They traveled throughout the United States; including California, Arizona and Montana and found themselves most frequently in either Colorado or Florida.
Mary enjoyed attending the Marion Salem United Methodist Church.
Mary will be dearly missed by her husband, John McGuire, of Marion; five children: Barbara Pendergast of Columbus, Charles McGuire of Caledonia, Pamela (John) McKenzie of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Jim McGuire of Marion, and David McGuire of Columbus, ten grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one sister, Lovena Troutwien of Marseilles, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her brother, Lyle McCollough; and brother-in-law, Everett Troutwein.
The McGuire family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17th, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services celebrating her life and homegoing will also be held there at 11 a.m. on Thursday, with Rev. James Van Meter officiating. Burial will follow in LaRue Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice including Gideon Bible fund, and they may be sent in care of the funeral home.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Mary’s family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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