Marie J. McGuire, age 82, passed into eternal life at her home on April 25, 2016. Born on November 15, 1933 she was a life-long resident of Secaucus. Formerly Marie Marra, she grew up on Second Street in Secaucus along with her mother Catherine, father Christopher, and brother Michael J. Marra IV. She graduated Weehawken High School in 1950 at age 16 and attended Montclair State Teacher’s College where she earned a BA in 1954. She taught fifth grade for three years in Secaucus at the old Clarendon School on Fifth Street. Then in 1957 she went to work for the Cedar Grove Board of Education where she taught seventh and eighth grade. Marie’s talents were quickly recognized by the administration and she was asked by the principal to become Guidance Counselor. Marie later earned her MA from William Paterson College and was promoted to Director of Guidance, a position she held until she retired in June 2002. The Cedar Grove Board of Education honored Marie’s 45 years of service by dedicating the high school auditorium in her honor the Marie J. McGuire Auditorium in June 2002.
Marie was a dedicated 46 year member of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. DKG promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. She was a 2-term president for her chapter and served as the State President from 1993-1995.
Locally, Marie was a lifelong parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church and 60 year member of Catholic Daughters. She was the first president for Friends of the Secaucus Public Library, where she helped establish the organization.
Marie was pre-deceased by her loving husband Joseph in 1988, whom she was married to for 34 years and her loving brother Michael J. Marra IV in 1990. She is survived by her sister-in-law Margaret Marra-Cutola, her sons Christopher and his wife Maggie, their daughter Adrienne, and Michael J. Marra V and his wife Ellen and their son Alex. Marie is also survived by sister-in-law Catherine Rittman and her sons John his son Ryan, Joseph and his wife Kathy their son Robert and her late son Robert. She is also survived by her niece Mildred (Szwarc) Peek and her husband Steve from Alaska and her nephew Wayne Szwarc and his wife Michele in addition to many cousins, dear friends, former students, and colleagues who treasured her warm companionship, strong leadership and wise mentoring.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 28 and Friday April 29 from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9 pm at Mack Memorial Home, 1245 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus, NJ 07094. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 30th 10:45 am at Immaculate Conception Church in Secaucus with burial take will follow Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, NJ.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Immaculate Conception Church, 1219 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus, NJ 07094, Friends of the Secaucus Public Library, 1379 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus, NJ 07094, and the Cedar Grove Alumni Association c/o 90 Rugby Rd.
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
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