Mary Kathleen (Kate) Maguire

Kate Maguire grew up in Lancaster, PA where she was raised by her mother, Mary Murphy and, Catherine Kirchner/Aunt Katie as her father passed when she was ten months old. She fondly remembered her grade school days at Saint Joseph's and high school days at Lancaster Catholic where she was head cheerleader. She had an older brother John and many cousins and aunts and uncles; all enjoying time together and meals on Manor Street. After high school she left Lancaster for Philadelphia to attend Misericordia Nursing School where she made many lifelong friends. She worked as a public health nurse after graduation, but her career was put on the back burner after she married Joe Maguire and had five children in six years. While raising her children on Nippon Street, Mount Airy (a home she loved for 50 years), she was involved in many activities: Mother's Club, cheerleading coach, volunteer librarian, lectern, Eucharistic minister and decorating church (Holy Cross). She worked the local polls on election day. She returned to nursing at Germantown Hospital and later went to Temple University Hospital where she managed the cardiac cath lab for 16 years before she retired and worked a short while part time at Chestnut Hill College (she loved the students).

She continued to use her artistic skills and was on the decorating committee at Gwynedd Estates and did some cheerleading as well (Olympic ACTS). She loved going to movies with her old Mount Airy friends (Ambler Theatre with lunch to follow). She enjoyed trivia, music, games, charades and shopping (we're fairly sure that Boscov's will miss her patronage). She loved to party. She did the mummer's strut up until her ninetieth. She could not resist a scotch in the winter or a gin and tonic in the Summer. She hosted stinger parties at her apartment and rarely turned down an opportunity to socialize.

She had an adventurous spirit and although she didn't get everywhere on her bucket list, she was fortunate to see many places far and close. Every summer she made it to the Jersey Shore, and she loved those waves. Her book collection was eclectic and later in life she discovered the New York Times Wordle and Connections. She was never at a loss for words and could start a conversation with anyone, anywhere. She always had an open-door policy and loved to entertain.

She also loved animals, especially Bent, Keisa, Rocky, Friday, Jack, Charlie, Jamo and Sadie. She even fed feral cats and squirrels. But her true love was her family, 5 children, 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. She was Grandmom Kate to many, this included big loud meals on Nippon Street (the more, the merrier), birthday and holiday cards with that special dollar bill, perfectly wrapped Christmas gifts always a fuss when opened! She loved people, animals, a good conversation. She had no loss for words which could annoy some but amused most. She was genuinely curious, generous, caring and enjoyed connecting with others and that is why so many will miss her.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday November 21, 2025 at 10AM at St Genevieve Church 1225 Bethlehem Pike Flourtown, PA 19031.  Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation from 9-10AM at the church.  Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.