Kathryn McGuire Obituary

McGuire, Kathryn "Sis" Elizabeth (nee Sheehy), 92, died July 7, 2002, born in Chicago, December 18, 1909. She grew up along the shores of Lake Michigan on the South side of Chicago with her parents, Fred and Kathryn (Chelius) Sheehy and her two brothers, Lawrence and Donald. Always fun-loving and adventuresome, Sis developed her talents for swimming, sailing, horseback riding, golf and painting. After attending St. Mary's at Notre Dame, she completed two years of college at Gulf Park in Mississippi and went on to study at the University of Chicago and the Chicago Art Institute. She continued painting while also running a school for young children. In 1938, she married John Francis McGuire, joining him Seattle during WWII, then lived briefly in Chicago, Wisconsin and Florida before settling in Bannockburn, a North suburban of Chicago, with her husband and six children. This home endearingly became known as "McGuire's Home for Children-Meals at All Hours". Sis was the beloved mother and friend to all who knew her. In 1972, a few years after the death of her son, Tim in Viet Nam (1968) and her husband's death (1969), she relocated to Ironwood, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, fulfilling a life-long dream to live in the country. All of her grandchildren fondly remember the many summer and Christmas holidays at "Michigan Grams". Sis was a person of character, strong and flexible, loving and independent, lively and playful. She lifted the spirits of everyone around her with charm and wit, kindness, compassion and encouragment. She never lost her dignity in grief or difficult circumstances. She taught us all how to love. In addition to her husband and her son, Tim, she is predeceased by her son, Michael (2001). She will missed by her children, Kitty (Vince) Hartigan, Roger (Diane) McGuire, Maggie McGuire, Brian (Nancy) McGuire, her grandchildren, Tripp Hartigan, Tim (Fran) Hartigan, John Hartigan, Amy (Erik) van Aarem, Megan (Dave) Block, Nora (Steve) Hipskind, Luke (Carolyn), Brian, Molly, Katy, Emmet, Seamus, Larkin and Simon McGuire, great-grandmother of Cece Hartigan, Anniek van Aarem, Molly and Bridget Block, Tim, Liam, Charles and Sean Hipskind and Isabelle and Bailey McGuire. Visitation 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday, July 9, at Wenban Funeral Home, 320 E. Vine Ave., Lake Forest. Funeral Mass 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 10, 2002, at the Church of St. Mary, 175 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest. Interment Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to SPRED/MAMRE, 2956 S. Lowe Ave., Chicago, IL, 60616. Info: 847-234-0022 Visit Guest Book at www.suntimes.com