14 August, 2012
Donna M. McGuire, 68, died Sunday August 12, 2012 surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was the loving wife of Frank J. McGuire, to whom she was married for 41 wonderful years. Born in Poughkeepsie, NY, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Robert Marone and Helen Tuttle Marone of Poughkeepsie.
Donna graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 1962 and received her associate’s degree from Dutchess Community College in 1964. She also received her paralegal certificate from Bentley College after moving to Boston in 1967.
Her early employment was spent as executive secretary in the law firm of H,S, D, F & K. She then spent 13 years at home raising her daughter, Heather -- the love of her life. Donna taught CCD at St. John the Evangelist Church, following Heather's religious education from pre-school through confirmation. She was executive director of the Hopkinton Housing Authority for two years and was an early proponent of family low-income housing.
She returned to the workforce as a paralegal to Linda Christian, Esq, and an administrative assistant to William J. Picardi at the Design Showroom in Southborough. In 1992 she went to work for Barbara Gilchrest, MD, chairman of dermatology at the Boston University School of Medicine in the south end of Boston. She spent 18 years in that position, which she truly loved.
Donna was a natural fit for volunteering. She had many happy and productive years spent donating her time and efforts to many worthwhile projects. After her time at the Hopkinton Housing Authority, she became a commissioner of the Board of the HHA for approximately 10 years. She was appointed as State Representative to the Board of Governor Deval Patrick in 2011. She also volunteered at the Hopkinton Senior Center each week. Donna was a part of the original Relay for Life team and was a top fundraiser and member of the Yankee Doodler team for over five years. She was also a member of the Democratic Town Committee until her illness prevented her from doing the things she loved.
Donna will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She considered herself blessed to have so many supportive, caring friends who gave her rides to appointments and cooked meals for her family while she was ill. She wished to thank everyone involved for making her final days as peaceful as possible. You know who you are.
In addition to her husband Frank, and her mother Helen, Donna is survived by her only daughter Heather McGuire Bourke and her husband Toby Bourke of Marlborough, her step grandchild, Sierra of Shrewsbury, her sisters Joanne Domey and her husband Kenneth of Poughkeepsie, and Constance Deho of Melbourne, FL. She also leaves several nieces and nephews.
A memorial funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 20 Church Street, Hopkinton, MA. Calling hours at the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home, 34 Church Street (http:www.callanancronin.com) are Friday, August 17 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society Attn: RFL of Hopkinton (Yankee Doodlers) 43 Nagog Park STE 110, Acton MA 01720 “In Memory of Donna McGuire.”
