Helen McGuire

New London - Helen (Connolly) McGuire, 101, of New London, died peacefully Tuesday evening, Oct. 19, 2010, at home.

Mrs. McGuire was born in Newburyport, Mass., on Feb. 19, 1909, the daughter of James T. Connolly and Nellie (Cuseck) Connolly. She graduated from Abbot Academy in 1927 and from Smith College in 1931. At Smith College, Mrs. McGuire was class song leader for all four years, college song leader during her senior year, and president of the Italian Club.

She married Francis F. McGuire in 1935. He died in 1982.

In addition to raising her four children, she was active in community organizations. She served on the boards of the Lyman Allyn Art Museum, the Thames Science Center, and the Girl Scouts, and was secretary of the LAMBS of Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, and vice chairman of the Hempsted House Restoration. She volunteered at the Diocesan Bureau and at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital.

She had a keen aesthetic eye. An accomplished flower arranger, she was a member of the New London Garden Club and the Garden Club of America. She appreciated Colonial and Georgian architecture and furniture and was closely involved in the preservation of the Acors Barns House on Federal St. in New London, which became her husband's office. She was also involved in the interior decoration of Williams Memorial Institute when it moved to the Connecticut College campus. She painted in oils in the 1940s and returned to painting in her late 90s when she began a series of the four seasons in watercolors. She completed the third, Autumn, in her 101st year.

Mrs. McGuire was a gracious hostess and seldom would a party end without the furniture being pushed back and the group singing and dancing well into the night.

She is survived by her children, Susan McGuire Morgan of Bozeman, Mont., Elizabeth McGuire Enders and her husband, Anthony T. Enders, of New York City and Waterford, and James C. McGuire and his wife, Ellen Humphreville McGuire, of New London. She is also survived by her 12 grandchildren, Robbie McGrath, Swithin McGrath, Charles Enders, Felix McGrath, Bill McGrath, Alex Enders, Camilla Enders, Jack Enders, Francis Mico McGuire, Ted McGuire, Jamie McGuire, and William McGuire; and by 13 great-grandchildren.

Her son, Frank L. McGuire, died in 1990.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 25, at St. Joseph Church, Montauk Ave., New London. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New London. There are no calling hours.

Byles Memorial Home is assisting with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. McGuire's memory may be made to the Lyman Allyn Art Musuem, 625 Williams St., New London CT 06320 or to the Frank L. McGuire Library Fund, c/o New London Maritime Society, 150 Bank St., New London CT 06320.

Please visit www.Byles.com for obituary, directions, or to leave a note of condolence for the family.