Mary Joan McGuire

Mary Joan McGuire passed away peacefully in Valparaiso, Indiana, on Saturday, November 9, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was 87. Mary was born August 6, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, to Raymond and Margaret Shewbridge. She grew up in Chicago, graduated from Mercy High School, and earned a degree in education from DePaul University. It was at DePaul that Mary met the love of her life, John McGuire. They married in 1959 and shared 56 wonderful years together before his passing in 2016. Together, they had nine children. Over the years and through moves from Illinois, to Oklahoma, and finally Indiana, faith was always their family foundation. Professionally, Mary dedicated her life to children. She began her career teaching in Chicago Public Schools after college. As her family started to grow, she focused on her children at home, at times, working as a substitute teacher or serving as a school volunteer. In the 1980s, when John’s career took their family to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Mary found work as a childcare worker for Sunbeam Family Services, a non-profit organization serving vulnerable children and families. It was this work that captured Mary’s heart. Over twenty years, she assumed more responsibility, eventually becoming director. Mary developed an early head start program to support families and expanded the program to include infant care. She retired in 2004. Mary was a devoted wife and caring mother, a rock of strength and a patient listener. Her legacy of love, compassion and caring endures. She will be deeply missed by her family and the many lives she touched throughout her life. Mary is survived by her loving children and spouses: Kevin (Edie) McGuire, Maureen (Thomas) Myers, Michael McGuire, Mary (Garth) Nisbet, James (Honore) McGuire, Kathleen (Michael) Philbin, Paul (Kerry) McGuire, Margaret (Eric) Kuss, Daniel (Jennifer) McGuire. She is also survived by her 21 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Mary was preceded in death by her husband John and sister, Margaret Gmelich. A visitation will be held at Burns Funeral Home in Hobart, Indiana, on Thursday, November 14 from 5 pm to 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, November 15, at 10 am at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Hobart. Burial will immediately follow at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois. www.BurnsFuneral.com

Mary Joan McGuire

August 6, 1937 - November 9, 2024