Obituary of Eileen A. (Prendergast) McGuirk

Eileen A. (Prendergast) McGuirk DANVERS—Eileen A. (Prendergast) McGuirk, 57, beloved wife of Doug McGuirk, passed away peacefully on Thursday December 20, 2012 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, while in the comforting presence of her family. Born in Concord, NH, she was the daughter of John and Anne (Skeffington) Prendergast. She grew up in Concord and graduated from Bishop Brady High School and Salem State College. Mrs. McGuirk was a teacher at the Thorpe School in Danvers for over 20 years, while also working at the Beverly Depot for 27 years. Eileen was an avid reader and enjoyed social and book discussions with her Top Gun Book Club. She enjoyed being outdoors and spending summer days at the beach, especially York Beach in Maine, one of her favorite spots. Above all, Eileen lived for her family. She adored following her daughter in her travels through Harvard and beyond, and traveling to follow her son through Boston University Hockey and his professional hockey career. She will be remembered for her selfless dedication to family and friends. She is survived by her husband Doug McGuirk of Peabody, with whom she enjoyed 31 years of marriage; her daughter, Erin McGuirk; her son, Brian McGuirk; three brothers, T.J. and his wife Donna Prendergast of NJ, Joe and his wife Claudia Prendergast, and Jack Prendergast and his companion Carol Woodman, all of NH; two sisters, Noreen and her husband Steve LaVorgna, and Maureen Prendergast, all of NH; and many nieces and nephews and extended family. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather on Friday December 28, 2012 at 10 AM from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 AM in St. Richard’s Church, Danvers. A visitation will be held on Thursday from 4 – 8 P.M. in the funeral home. Burial will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eileen’s memory to the McGuirk Memorial Fund, c/o Mass General Hospital Development Office, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114.