MARY ROSE HELENA MCGUIRE
September 8, 1952 – April 17, 2018
On a quiet afternoon surrounded by family and friends, Mary Rose McGuire’s gentle soul was lifted to heaven to join her Tommy. Growing up on the family farms in southern Ontario (Schomberg, Barrie, and Washago) helped to shape Mary Rose’s independent and grounded spirit. She loved the freedom of riding horses amid the responsibilities of farm life. Later, Mary Rose would attend the University of Waterloo where she formed lifelong friendships. Overcoming Hodgkin’s lymphoma in her early twenties, Mary Rose took advantage of her next forty-five years as only a survivor could. Being told she would never have children because of her treatment, she considered her boys miracles. With Tom by her side and her two sons in tow, she filled her life with diverse adventures and challenges. On a family trip to the Rockies in 1991 Mary Rose’s life would forever change, leading to the decision to move the family from the craft show circuit of southern Ontario with Watson’s Woolies to the Calgary financial district as a founding Partner of RichardsonGMP. Wanting to spend time with family and friends back east, Mary Rose and Tom built the family cottage on Lake Rosseau. Many wonderful memories were created on Gabella Island and Mary Rose was looking forward to more Muskoka sunsets on the dock. It was her desire to be with her sons that brought Mary Rose to North Vancouver, where her family loved and cared for her in her final months. Mary Rose’s strong Catholic faith and belief in life everlasting helped her cope with the loss of her husband, Thomas Watkins, in 2011 and to accept her own untimely diagnosis. Mary Rose is survived by her two sons, Andrew (Kendra Pidwysocki) and Matthew (Annie Davies); and her two grandchildren, Jack and Chloe. Predeceased by her parents, Bert and Vera (nee Doyle) McGuire; Mary Rose will be dearly missed by her siblings, Hugh, Peter, Gerry, Tom, John (d. 2016), Ann, Bill, Robert, and Dan, her large extended family, and her many friends. A visitation will be held at Rod Abrams Funeral Home (1666 Tottenham Road, Tottenham) 905-936-3477 on Friday, May 4th from 5-9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (91 Church St., Schomberg), on Saturday, May 5th 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Followed by interment in St. Patrick’s Cemetery Lloydtown. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lung Transplant Program at Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation would be appreciated by the family (www.tgwhf.ca/tribute). Condolences may be forwarded to www.RodAbramsFuneralHome.com
Robin (Carter) Rowe says
I met Mary Rose through my brother Fred and we had some fun outings with mutual friends. Then we both headed off to the University of Waterloo. Mary Rose was smart, social, radiant and entrepreneurial. While so many of us wondered what we would do after university Mary Rose and Tom were establishing a business. For many years I looked forward to meeting Mary Rose at the one of a kind show in Toronto and then we lost touch. Fate kept us from meeting again last year and sadly again. It is so sad for her family to have lost first Tom and then lovely Mary Rose so young. My heartfelt condolences go out to all.
Joan and Clive Channeling says
Our condolences to the McGuire family..so sorry for your loss.
Donna Sverdrup says
I have known Mary Rose since our university days in the early to mid seventies. I hadn’t seen her for many years until I discovered that she lived in Calgary near my daughter. We had a few recent get-togethers and she was the same, wonderful, person that I remembered. I was so very sad to hear the news of her illness and had hoped that we and our mutual friends could have another wonderful time this summer. I also was praying that she would enjoy a long retirement with her sons and family in Vancouver.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family. She left us much too soon.
Russ and Linda D'Abreu says
Our heartfelt sympathy to Ann, Gerard and the McGuire family on the loss of a dear sister, mum and grand mother Mary Rose. We had the pleasure of spending some treasured times with her at the LTO golf tournament in Milton. Gone too soon. She will be dearly missed.
Love Russ and Linda
Ed and Jody Hogan says
Andrew and Kendra our thoughts are prayers are with you and your family as you go through this very difficult time. It was our honor to meet Mary Rose in Mexico, she will be sadly missed by all who knew her
Cheryl Pynn says
I has the privilege of meeting Mary Rose at the Silver Springs Golf Club. I golfed with her on many a Tuesday Ladies night and enjoyed her company so very much. She was one of the kindest and most genuine people I have ever met. She will be sadly missed.
With deepest sympathy to all of your family.
Susan Latremoille says
I had the good fortune of knowing Mary Rose as a founding partner of Richardson Partners when we met 14 years ago. I was always inspired by Mary Rose’s quiet strength, good judgment, business acumen and solid character.
My heart goes out to Mary Rose’s family, her children and grandchildren. She was taken from us far too soon.
Georgina Forrest says
I’m so sad to hear that Mary Rose is now gone.I can’t imagine what you are all going through right now, but I want you to know I’m sending you all peaceful and loving thoughts.
Brian Galipeau says
I knew Mary Rose for 20+ years. I told her more than once that one of the fortunate events of my life was having her assigned to handle the administrative tasks of an RESP my parents had bought for my children.
That led to Mary Rose eventually becoming my financial advisor. Over the course of time we became business friends and I was more than happy to follow her from RBC to the new Richardson firm.
Now she has left us with a wonderful example of a life well lived even to its end.
You exhibited class without pretense, Mary Rose McGuire, and I will tell you once again, I am fortunate to have known you.
Karen Card says
I was both saddened and surprised to hear that our world had lost Mary Rose. She was one of the sweetest people I had ever known. I am her realtor and first met her and Tom when they moved to Calgary in 1991. She was so excited to be starting the next chapter of her life in retirement. She couldn’t wait to move into her new place in Vancouver and spend more time with her family there in BC. She was also looking forward to more time at the cottage in Ontario.
My heart goes out to her family and many dear friends. May she now walks with her beloved Tom once again. Bless you Mary Rose.
Penny Payne says
I met Mary Rose at the Silver Springs Golf & Country Club where she joined a group of us for Thursday Nine & W(h)ine. Always a pleasure to golf and catch up with Mary Rose those evenings, with the sharing of stories and laughs over dinner and drinks being the focus of the evening. Mary Rose will be missed even more now that we can’t share her company on visits back to Calgary. Heartfelt condolences.
Brian and Jackie says
Our deepest sympathy go out to Mary Rose’s family. Mary Rose looked after our financial planning for many years and her attention to detail was greatly appreciated. She was a kind and generous soul. We will unfortunately miss her memorial as we are out of the country but we certainly be thinking of her. God bless.
Pat Tough says
Margaret Tough (Cutler) and family express our sincere condolences to all of the McGuire clan. Mom has many memories of her old neighbours growing up
Mike and Carol Haas says
Mary Rose was one of a kind,the kindest, most caring and genuine person we have ever met. Our condolences to her sons and grandchildren, we know how precious they were to her. Her caring and gentle ways will be missed by everyone who knew her. We believe she and Tom are sharing sunsets together.
Russell Todd says
I met Mary Rose many years ago through our membership in the Calgary Estate Planning Council and as RFP members in the IAFP planning organization. I got to know her a s a genuine and caring person with a good heart and gentle demeanor, and always caring for the needs of all those she worked with. She was looking forward to her retirement and being with family members when she left Calgary. It is sad she had limited time to spend in her new life. I will miss her much as a good friend and extend my prayers to her surviving family members at this time. God speed Mary Rose.
Shirley Van Den Bosch says
Your MOM was Awesome!!! I knew M.R. (Mary Rose) from BHC (bankers hall club)days. Our morning workouts were a fun get together! We would laugh about life and share silly stories of our families. We even shared some fun moments on the golf course. M.R. was caring with a great smile, warmth of heart and sharp! I am sooo sure her and Tom will be having a ton of fun in the next life! You boys enjoy that family cottage that you helped your dad build! And if it is not in the picture, at least remember the moments of building it. Enjoy your lives and remember how much fun and love your mom had! A big hug to the family and a pint in her honour!
Janet Cassidy says
Our prayers and thoughts are being sent to Mary Rose’s family. She will be missed by everyone at RGMP who had the privilege of knowing her.
Ron & Norma Radyk says
Our Thoughts Are With Mary Roses Family,In Your Many,Many Hours Of Grief And Sorrow.Our Sincere Condolences To The Entire McGuire Family.
(Bonnie,s Sister)
Joe & Mary Ellen Keenan says
Our condolences to the McGuire families.
suzanne truba says
Mary Rose shopped at our store in Calgary for many years. What a great gal.
She was always respectful, fun and liked quality. She was so easy to have a laugh with. I would always compliment her on her teeth and smile. So attractive.
I was stunned when i saw her obituary in the newspaper.
She sure did love her sons and cherished her relationship with you and her grandchildren. She made that know to us in conversation.
She will truly be missed.
Please accept our sincere and heart felt condolences to you all.
suzanne truba and Toni Thomas.
Susan and Neil Murphy says
Our sympathies to Mary Rose’s large and loving family. We have such fond memories of happy times spent with Mary Rose (and Tom) at baseball pool get togethers in Calgary and wonderful summer barbecues in Muskoka. How sad they did not live to fully enjoy the wonderful island home they built together.
We will never forget her beautiful smile.