Mary Elizabeth McGuire passed away at the Elliot Hospital on February 16, 2015. Born on February 22, 1926, Mary was a lifelong Manchester resident. She was well known for her engaging personality, robust sense of humor, and kindness. She carried on conversations with everyone she met, and liked to say that she knew “everybody in the city.”
Mary and her late husband, Paul Francis McGuire, are survived by their five children and spouses: Kathleen of Hopkinton, Brian (Nati) of Barnstead, Paul (Anita) of Largo, Florida, Susan Pellenz (Dennis) of Manchester, and Mark (Cynthia) of Manchester. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Mary was the third-oldest of twelve children of William and Helen (O’Brien) Johnston. She is predeceased by her siblings Billy, Bobby, Helen, Cy, Christine and Lenny, and survived by Jimmy, Jeannie, Lillie, Frankie and Ronny.
In addition to making a home for her husband and children, Mary worked as a telephone operator, a clerk at Bradlee’s and Mammoth Mills department stores, an assembler at Raytheon, and, for 15 years, until she was 74, a receptionist at Mt. Carmel Nursing Home, where she knew the residents and always gave a cheerful welcome to their families and friends.
Mary was an accomplished bowler and avid Patriots fan. She loved dining out, Sunday drives, the movies, and being with young people. She was also a voracious reader, particularly of anything about the Kennedys, especially Jackie. Her love of all things Jackie, combined with her fastidious attention to wardrobe and appearance, led Mary’s children to call her “Jackie O.” She loved it.
A memorial service was held on Friday, February 20, 2015 at the Lambert Funeral Home and Crematory, 1799 Elm St., Manchester. Urn burial at the St. Joseph Cemetery in Bedford will occur at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to Easter Seals of NH, 555 Auburn St., Manchester, NH 03103.