Obituary of Vanita B. (Henderson) McGuirk

Vanita B. (Henderson) McGuirk PEABODY – Vanita B. (Henderson) McGuirk, 85, beloved wife of the late John L. “Coach” McGuirk, died peacefully on Saturday November 5, 2016 at the Rosewood Skilled Nursing & Rehab Facility in Peabody, following an extended illness. Born in Berlin, NH, she was the daughter of the late Sterling J. and Cora (Dube) Henderson. She grew up in Hyde Park, and graduated from Hyde Park High School. She lived in Peabody for nearly 57 years. Mrs. McGuirk worked as an Executive Secretary at the Charleston Naval Yard for many years. Vanita was a women with many generous gifts that she shared with family and friends, along with her special devotion to her faith community at St. Adelaide’s Church in Peabody. A woman with vision, organization, orchestrating events, a desire to do good works, and a self-described “Clerk of the Works” mindset, she was the Founder of the McGuirk Memorial Golf Tournament which recently had its 22nd Anniversary, which benefits the Mass General Gynecological Oncology Unit and Mass General-North Shore Cancer Center. She was very active at St. Adelaides, from being a CCD Teacher, Wedding Coordinator, Choir member, Altar-Linen helper, Prayer Groups, to Couples Club. She was a devoted Boston sports fan, whether Red Sox or Bruins, and loved hockey. She was most passionate and devoted to her dear family, and in many cases served as a neighborhood surrogate mother or just helping others with hospitality when they went through difficult times. She will be dearly missed and remembered for her philanthropic endeavors. She is survived by her sons and daughters, Michael & his wife Donna McGuirk of Peabody, John & his wife Jane McGuirk of Danvers, Douglas McGuirk of Danvers & his late wife Eileen, James & his wife Erica of Alexandria, NH, Susan McGuirk of Peabody and Jackie & her husband James Moran of Peabody; nine grandchildren, Erin McGuirk, Brian & his wife Corie McGuirk, Luke & his wife Courtney Moran, Michael Moran, Benjamin McGuirk, Brian McGuirk, and Cassie McGuirk, Sean & his wife Ashleey Allen and Nicholas Allen; two great-grandchildren, Kinley McGuirk and Graeme Allen; one sister Patricia Sheehy of Cape Cod, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death, besides her parents and husband, by infants Joshua & Elizabeth McGuirk. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather on Thursday at 9 AM from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 AM in St. Adelaide’s Church, Peabody. A visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4 – 8 P.M. in the funeral home. Cremation will take place after the Mass. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to either the Mass General North Shore Cancer Center or to Mass General Gynecological Oncology, send to the MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua St., Suite 540, Boston, MA 02214.