In a world of stress and worry, a calming light and beacon of hope was taken to the Lord on February 20, 2024. Surrounded by her family, Colleen McGuire passed away peacefully after a decade plus long struggle with frontotemporal dementia.
Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Colleen was the oldest of four children and the daughter of a firefighter and homemaker. She was always the enduring optimist, supporting her siblings during her parent’s divorce, offering reassurances through difficult times, and using her smile to warm any room.
Somewhat shy and reserved, her beautiful blue eyes grabbed the attention of a young Rutgers student athlete, Tom McGuire Jr. Immediately enthralled, these soul mates would soon date and marry within 19 months of that first connection. Their marriage lasted fifty-one years.
Colleen and Tommy started their married life in New Brunswick where she worked as an executive assistant to the city’s chief of police. With a family in mind, they eventually moved to Daytona Beach, FL. Over the next 10 years, God would bless them with four healthy children, two boys and two girls. This growing household required more space, so they relocated from their beachside abode to a larger house in South Daytona. Colleen ranks among the GOATs of mothers and brought her positive attitude, sense of optimism, and support to their often-chaotic home. She loved her family dearly and was so proud of her children and their accomplishments, always supporting them in their journeys as they grew up and moved on to new chapters.
While family was her life, once all her children were in school, she filled the void by obtaining the highest certification as a paraprofessional in the Volusia County School System. For 13 years at South Daytona Elementary and 7 years at Mainland High School, Colleen helped teach and nurture ESE and special needs students. She brought love, encouragement, and mentorship to many young lives.
An avid Disney fan, it was not uncommon to see Colleen in a Mickey Mouse sweatshirt and playing Disney music in the car. She loved going to the parks with her family and was especially thrilled when she got to host her grandkids for their first ride at It’s a Small World and their first autograph from Mr. Mouse himself.
The love she radiated was given back to her over the last ten years as her disease slowly took away her ability to care for herself and claimed her speech. During that time, Tommy, the love of her life, patiently cared for her every single day. Regulars at certain restaurants in town, everyone knew this sweet couple and found inspiration as they watched Colleen’s doting husband help her eat and enjoy their time together even if she was unable to communicate.
This world will never be the same, but Colleen’s legacy will live on with her loving (and large) family who truly enjoy each other’s company, even if the touch-football games get a little heated. Her smile and passion for life will be deeply missed by everyone she touched.
In addition to her husband Tom, Colleen leaves behind her children Brendan (Helen) McGuire, Meaghan (Eric) Simon, Bryn (Ryan) Will, and Shaun (Amber) McGuire; 10 grandchildren; her mother Janet Lyons; and her siblings Shauna Walsh and Danny Walsh (Andrea Grassi). She is predeceased by her brother Joey Walsh and the most interesting man in the world, “Pappa” Joe Walsh.
A funeral mass will be held at Epiphany Catholic Church in Port Orange, FL, on March 6, 2024, at 10:30 am. A celebration of life will be held on June 1, 2024, with more details forthcoming.
In lieu of flowers, the family would cherish a donation in Colleen’s name to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration - https://www.theaftd.org/.
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