Maureen Reidy Maguire

MAGUIRE Maureen Reidy Maguire, age 76, died peacefully on April 6th at home after a long battle with cancer. She was the beloved wife of Frank J. Maguire. Born in Hartford, she was raised in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. Some of her happiest days of childhood were spent at St. Mary's By-the-Sea. A graduate of the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy/Laurelton Hall, Maureen went onto receive a BA in English from Albertus Magnus College; an MA in Teaching English as a Second Language and a Doctorate in English from New York University. After college, Maureen moved New York City where she pursued the one of her passions in life - singing. She sang in a variety of venues and shows. One of her favorite memories was performing musicals in summer stock in Illinois. Her next career step in NY was as a copy editor and eventual partner in Helios Book Publishing Company. She ultimately settled in Brooklyn, NY, which she called home for more than 30 years. She was a teacher and curriculum developer/editor with the New York City public schools for more than 25 years. During this time, she distinguished herself professionally with the creation and implementation of the John Jay Family Language Program - a program that sent NYC school teachers into the homes of immigrant families to teach the entire family to speak English. In addition to teaching English, she many times found herself assisting "her families" with the many challenges of being immigrants in NYC. In addition, she was also a member of the Irish Heritage Committee of the NYC Board of Education. She was active parishioner in St. Saviour's Church in Park Slope, Brooklyn and was a motivating force with the Gallery Players of Park Slope, an original member of the Off-Off Broadway Alliance. During her time with Gallery Players, Maureen was a board member, director, producer and actress. In 1990, she and her beloved, Frank, moved from Brooklyn to Wilton. In Wilton they were blessed with a large circle of very supportive friends. She was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, where she was a lector and member of the choir. She was an active member of the Wilton Women's Club and was on the board of Catholic Family Services. For the past seven years she has been an Assistant Professor of English at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT, teaching English and supervising the next generation of English teachers. She treasured her time with her students and they in turn treasured their time with her. She was a devoted mother to Shevaun Macari of Stamford, Barrett Maguire of Brooklyn, NY, Bevin Maguire of White Plains, NY, and Leslie Gerber of Brooklyn, NY. She is survived by her sisters, Sheila Sargent and Colleen Baumgardner, both of Fairfield. Maureen leaves behind by her nine grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Most of all Maureen was a supportive friend to a wide circle of friends, family and colleagues. She was preceded in death by her brother, Martin Reidy; her father, Martin Reidy; and her mother, Mary Ann Reidy (nee O'Sullivan). Memorial contributions may be made to The Wilton Women's Club with a notation for Maureen R. Maguire Fund and sent to: The Wilton Women's Club Philanthropy Committee P.O. Box 414 Wilton, CT 06897. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, April 7th from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bouton Funeral Home, 31 West Church Street, Georgetown, CT, (203) 544-8461. Her Mass of Christian burial will take place on Thursday, April 8th at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Fatima, 229 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT