Lemley Chapel
Serving Sedro-Woolley &
All of Skagit County Since 1935
1008 Third Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA
360-855-1288
www.LemleyChapel.com
Mary E. McGuire Memorial
Mary E. McGuire Memorial

Mary E. McGuire

Mary E. McGuire

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

Mary E. McGuire (Gramma Mary), 85, of Sedro-Woolley, passed away peacefully early in the morning on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at United General Hospital.

She was born in Vinita, Oklahoma on March 8, 1925, to the late Ernest and Ollie Dempsey, the second of their eight children.  When Mary and the family moved to the Skagit Valley area in 1940, they were joined by the love of her life, Dale McGuire.  The two of them were soon married in Sedro-Woolley on November 12, 1940.

Dale and Mary were both hard working Americans, usually maintaining several jobs at a time.  Mary was most proud of her job at Northern State Hospital, working in the kitchen, from where she eventually retired.  Mary wasn’t all work though, she also enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, and was an avid Seattle Seahawks and Mariners fan.  She enjoyed playing BUNKO and BINGO with her friends as well as making her rounds at the casino.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Debbie Richter; son and daughter-in-law, DeWayne and Sandy McGuire; grandchildren, Rachel and Jesse Thompson, Robin Richter, Rylie Richter, Tammy and Jess Henriod, Tom McGuire, and Terri and Dave Meeks; sister, June and Marv Becker; brothers, Glen and Rita Dempsey, and LeRoy and Margaret Dempsey; 11 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and her “adopted” family, daughter, Sue Hennigs, and grandchildren, Michael Hennigs and Michelle Rizzo.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale McGuire; sisters, Gladys Jackson and Lois Brevick; brothers, Jack Dempsey and infant brother, Clarence Dempsey and son-in-law William “Billy” Richter.

She will always be remembered for her feisty spirit, and her “let’s go” attitude.  “As a rule” whether “riding a dull pair of scissors to Texas” or “ripping someone’s shirt off” she always kept her family laughing with her numerous sayings and antics.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00AM, Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at the Inspire Church of Skagit Valley, State and Township Streets, Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Brent Kimball presiding.  A graveside committal will follow at Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery.  A time of visitation will be available from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday, February 21st, at Lemley Chapel. Share memories of Mary and sign the on-line guest register at www.lemleychapel.com.

Guestbook

  • Holly Dempsey

    I am sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. Mary’s youngest brother is my father-in-law. Unfortunatley, I never had the pleasure to meet her. I can see that she was a wonderful person with an uplifting spirit and a smile that could light up the room. She was well liked and very loved by her family & friends. Sending my condolences to her family. Holly Dempsey

  • kaylee allison

    Great aunt Mary, you will missed. I will always remember you for your Spunky attitude. Win big at the big casino in the sky! Tell my grandma Gladys I miss her terribly! Love you and miss you already aunt Mary! Kaylee Allison

  • susan allison

    aunt mary , what can i say that i havn’t said before , thanks for the great conversation, at christmas we got to sit And talk and laugh it was great . ill miss that. Camping with you and uncle Dale and Taking uncle Dale his dinner At one job or the other , We’ll see each other again aunt Mary please tell mom(grandma gladys) and grandma ollie im o,k , and ill see them someday. a i love you and ill miss you . aunt mary keep us all in your prayers. your niece susan ann

  • Terri Meeks

    Grandma. We miss you so much. Knowing you are at peace makes me feel better for you but it doesn’t lessen the pain for us but just looking back at all the wonderful memories I have of the time spent with you and all the trips you and grandpa took us on and how much fun we had. All the times we went camping and fishing and you would always make us chocolate chip rice krispy treats. Like dad said its funny how the circle of life revolves as he was taking you from us he was also blessing us with a new baby on the same day. We love you granny goochen.

  • Rachel

    Oh Grandma Mary! How I will miss sitting and talking with you! I always left with a smile on my face. I can’t remember too many times where a conversation with you didn’t lead to laughing and laughing and you eventually saying “see how they pick on me”. We will never forget all the sayings you repeated almost every day. Your “let’s go” attitude inspired so many. You were ready for fun at any moment any time, even when you were in pain, you would just tell us “better to laugh than cry”. I can’t believe you aren’t here, and I find myself walking to your room and forgetting that you aren’t there. You will be missed and you will never be forgotten. I’m sure that your stories will live on in our family history forever! Ava has been saying prayers for you because you are “one of her bestest grandma’s”! We love you!
    Rachel and Jesse