Velma Grace McGuire, 91, a resident of Cedar Lake Village Retirement Center in Olathe, Kansas, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, August 25, 2008, at the Olathe Medical Center.
In her last weeks, she hinted she was anxious to join family and friends who have passed before. She will be remembered as a gracious, remarkable lady who carefully balanced her many roles which included mother, wife, sister, grandparent, teacher and friend. A lifetime of religious conviction served her well as she took her lifeís journey.
Velma was born October 25, 1916 to A. C. (Sam) and Inez McConnell in Unityville, South Dakota. As an infant, her family moved to Roger Mills County, Oklahoma, where she grew up on her parentsí farm.
As Velma matured to womanhood, she attended college and high school at the same time. After preparing for her teaching career at West Texas State College in Canyon, Texas, she taught in a country school near Lipscomb and Higgins, Texas. She later taught in Lipscomb, Texas as well as in schools near Clovis, New Mexico and Perryton, Texas. After raising her family, she worked as a bookkeeper for Day Chevrolet in Greensburg, Kansas and then later taught high school math in Haviland, Kansas until she retired in 1978.
In 1945, Velma worked as a bookkeeper and as a cashier in Amarillo, Texas. At her cafÈ job, she met a man who played and replayed the hit song ìSo Long Darlingî. He constantly asked Velma for change to continue playing the jukebox. On February 25, 1946, she married that man who was William (Bill) McGuire. Their marriage lasted 60 years. To this union were borne four children who they raised in Higgins, Texas and later in Greensburg, Kansas. In the late 70ís, they moved to Edmond, Oklahoma where they resided until 2006, when they moved to Cedar Lake Village in Olathe, Kansas.
Velma was a Life Member of Eastern Star, Star of Hope Chapter # 193 in Greensburg, Kansas. Her love for bridge, bingo, and working puzzles is legendary. Other hobbies included gardening, sewing and cooking.
Velma was preceded in death by her parents, Amasa Chauncy McConnell and wife Inez, her husband, William (Bill) McGuire and son, Ronald G. McGuire. Survivors include sisters, Elsie Kendall, Muleshoe, Texas and Geneva Stout, Ponca City, Oklahoma and their families. Daughters, Carlene Childs and Jerry, Olathe, Kansas and Marlene Heineman, Dallas, Texas. Son, Don McGuire, Kingfisher, Oklahoma. Grandchildren, Leslie Kubas, Overland Park, Kansas; Laurie Turner & Wayne, Colby, Kansas; and Tommy Heineman, Dallas, Texas. She also had special love for Mike Kubas. Great-Grandchildren, Lila Marie Kubas, Overland Park, Kansas; Madeline Grace Turner, Colby, Kansas; and Weldon William Turner, Colby, Kansas. She also leaves many friends at Cedar Lake as well as in Oklahoma and Kansas.
Visitation will be Friday evening, August 29, 2008 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Baggerley Funeral Home. Services will be held on Saturday morning, August 30, 2008 at 10:00 am at Baggerley Funeral Home, 930 South Broadway, Edmond, Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made payable to the Velma McGuire Memorial Fund (for the benefit of Cedar Lake Village Retirement Center) and mailed to Baggerley Funeral Home, 930 S. Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034.
