Elizabeth McGuirk

Obituary of Elizabeth McGuirk Elizabeth Smith McGuirk, 98, of The Villages, FL died at home, March 5, 2012, surrounded by her three daughters, Kathy Beers, Mary Vinyard, and Peg and Bob Duszak, all Village residents. Mrs. McGuirk was born in Essex Junction, VT. Elizabeth had moved to The Villages five years ago with her daughters. Elizabeth had been a role model to her three daughters as a mother, teacher and friend. Two of her granddaughters are 6th generation teachers, following in the footsteps of Elizabeth. She enjoyed the love and friendship of all who knew her in The Villages. She will be missed by all. Mrs. McGuirk was the child of Anna (Harvey) Smith and H.C.Dewey Smith. She was the third of six children. Her early years were spent in Concord, VT and Amherst, NH. She worked in her father's creamery and then their dairy farm. Elizabeth was a graduate of Keene Normal School in Keene, New Hampshire, and Rowen University, Glassboro, NJ. Mrs. McGuirk taught in North Charlestown, NH and Lexington, MA. James McGuirk and Elizabeth met on a blind date and married in Leominster, MA. Upon her marriage to James in 1943, she left teaching temporarily, as dictated by the times. As so many women did during WWII, Elizabeth worked in an airline factory in payroll. Their three daughters were born in the PennsGrove, NJ area where James worked in finance for the DuPont Company. Soon Elizabeth was back teaching, a job that meant everything to her. James and Elizabeth retired back to the farm in Amherst, NH in 1972. James died in 1979. Elizabeth was busy in local activities with family and friends. Elizabeth was an active gardener and member in the State Woman's Club of New Hampshire. James was a golfer, hitting in the low 70's until he died. Mrs. McGuirk enjoyed life in The Villages from the first day of her arrival in 2006. She made her home with her daughter Peggy Duszak and husband Bob. She also visited frequently with her other two daughters. Elizabeth is predeceased by her husband James, two sisters and two brothers. She is survived by her brother Philip Smith and wife, Glenice, of Milford, NH. She has been lovingly attended by her three daughters, Kathleen M. Beers, Mary Vinyard and Margaret and Bob Duszak, son in-law, all of The Villages, nine grandchildren, John, James, Elizabeth and Sarah, Andrea and Kristen, and Ryan, Shannon and Michael, and 20 great grandchildren. Memorial Services will be at Beyers Funeral Home, Lady Lake at 1 PM on Thursday, March 8, 2012. Graveside services will be held in Milford, NH during the summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Villagers for Hospice, 601 Casa Bella, The Villages, Fl. 32162. Services Memorial Services will be at Beyers Funeral Home, Lady Lake at 1 PM on Thursday, March 8, 2012. Interment Graveside services will be held in Milford, NH during the summer. Memorial Donations In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Villagers for Hospice, 601 Casa Bella, The Villages, Fl. 32162.