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Kendra McGuinness Obituary
February 19, 1964 – March 26, 2018
Surrounded by her family, Kendra McGuinness returned to God on March 26, 2018. Kendra is survived by her parents, Dagmar and William Zwisler, her loving husband, Matt, her son Riley, and daughters Molly and Shae.A hero and an inspiration, Kendra never succumbed in her battle with cancer. She lived through even her most difficult days with grace and strength that most can only aspire to. She cared more about the grief that each new diagnosis would bring to her family and her friends than about what it meant for her. Kendra embraced life with admirable positivity, lived fully, and with intensity. She cherished her time with family and placed special value on the fellowship of friends.
Kendra was born in Tacoma, Washington, but came to California as an infant and grew up in Portola Valley. She became the quintessential California Girl, attending Menlo-Atherton High School, UC Santa Barbara and graduating from San Francisco State University with a degree in Physics. She began her career as a Quality Assurance Manager at a Silicon Valley computer company; however, after marrying, Matt, the love of her life and settling in San Francisco, she took time off to be a full-time mother and mentor to her children. She was an active member at each of their school communities, cheering them on in sports, science fairs or dance recitals and volunteering where needed. As their children grew, she returned to part-time work in a variety of capacities using her knowledge of computers and aptitude for numbers to assist in the business office of several small businesses. In her latest position, she served as an integral part of the Development Office for the Little Sisters of the Poor at St. Anne's Home.
Puzzles and reading were favorite pastimes. As a voracious reader, Kendra was the inspiration for a book club that motivated non-readers to come together in friendship to share her love of reading. She and her husband traveled the world, but their family trips to Cozumel always topped her list of "bests." She and Matt welcomed life's blessings and challenges as one, proudly in agreement that the raising of their three beautiful and accomplished children was their greatest achievement.
Recognized for her sweet smile and fun-loving disposition, she was loved for her beauty inside and out and will be deeply missed.
Friends and family are invited to attend a Funeral Mass to celebrate Kendra's life on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 11am at St. Brendan's Church located at 29 Rockaway Ave. San Francisco, CA 94127. Reception to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to St Anne's Home at this link:https://littlesistersofthepoorsanfrancisco.weshareonline.org/.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kendra McGuinness
Sponsored by Duggan's Funeral Service - The Duggan Welch Family The Duggan Welch Family.
Maureen E Hurley
March 22, 2023
I was lucky enough to receive Kendra's cowboy hat, which I sometimes wear to fun events. It makes me feel good to know Kendra and I are still enjoying fun times together and creating new memories. Sending love to Matt, Riley, Shae and Molly.
Karen (Mangels) DeLodder
August 13, 2021
I was one of Kendra´s roommates at UCSB ("The Trop"). She was so beautiful inside and out, smart, and also so very sweet and caring. We had many laughs and good times. My condolences to her family and friends.
Tom Luciani
May 26, 2018
Glad to have shared the stage with Kendra, Matt, Molly & Shae cheering on Riley playing for Saint Ignatius Water Polo.
Tom Luciani
Michele Mietus-Snyder
April 22, 2018
Dear Matt, Riley, Molly, Shae and family,
I only learned this week of your and this world's profound loss and my heart is aching. As you have surely heard many times, 'There are no words.' Still I hope you can feel the love and hope I am sending in the infinite space between inadequate words. I know there is spirit in that space and that the spirit s strong and healing. I trust you will feel Kendra in that space always and everywhere now.
with much love and prayer,
Michele, Michael, Matthew, and Gregory Snyder
Nancy Garnero
April 11, 2018
To Matt, Riley, Molly, Shae, Bill and Dagmar,
We are devastated to hear that beautiful, brave, smart, funny, gracious and just plain wonderful Kendra lost her battle. I will dedicate my 2018 breast cancer hike up Mt. Tam to her memory. Kendra was the best wife, mother and daughter that anyone could dream of. I am happy that I had the opportunity to share her grace in life and the light of her spirit forever. Lots of Love, Bob & Nancy Garnero
Angela Koros
April 10, 2018
Dear McGuinness Family,
Ted and I are so sorry to hear of Kendra's passing. She was such a kind, beautiful person and we so enjoyed getting to know her and all of you. May God's blessings be with you during this difficult time.
April 9, 2018
I just heard about Kendra's passing and my heart is heavy with sadness. Kendra was one of my closest friends during high school. I still remember her laugh and her willingness to be there for others. I so regret that we lost touch over the years. Her light will never be extinguished.
Yvonne (van Gennep) Smith
Cindy Ruby
April 8, 2018
Kendra's beautiful smile looked so familiar when I read the obituary. I was her fourth grade teacher at Corte Madera School in Portola Valley. I remember her friendly, outgoing personality and eagerness to learn. I'm so sorry to hear of her passing. Kendra's family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers at this time.
April 8, 2018
Dear Matt and Family
Moira McGuinness Llewellyn
April 8, 2018
Dear Matt and Family, It's hard to let go of someone who gave you so much to remember. Keeping you all in my every thought and prayer. Sending love always. Moira
Mike and Bernie O'Neill
April 7, 2018
Dear Matt and Family We were sad to hear of Kendra's passing. We remember her to be just this lovely person, someone you felt good to be around. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Tony Villa
April 7, 2018
Dear McGuinness Family,
My thoughts and prayers go out to you. I am deeply sorry for your loss and my sincere condolences. God Bless You All
Jannette Buchanan
April 6, 2018
Dear Matt, Riley, Molly & Shae,
I was so saddened to hear Kendra had passed. She fought the hard fight. I know that her greatest joy was having all of you in her life. I will always remember her laughter (which she shared easily,) her smile and her sensitive soul. I hope you can find comfort in your memories and know she is always with you.
Craig Goldfus
April 3, 2018
My condolences to Kendras family. I knew Kendra from our days at Corte Madera School in Portola Valley. The Kendra I remember was a very sweet gal, who never judged others. She was always a friend to those who wished to engage as such. I'm very sorry to hear of her passing. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.
Carisa Iezza
April 2, 2018
Dear McGuinness and Zwisler families,
I was so saddened to learn of Kendras passing. Kendra and I were Pom Pom girls together at Menlo Atherton High. We roomed together at cheer camp and had so much fun that year we spent cheering the M-A Bears. I had reconnected with Kendra through Facebook some time back, we shared some nice messages back and forth. I had not realized her cancer had come back.
Kendra was a beautiful, bubbly, silly girl back in high school. She was always ready to go, go, go! What I remember of her most was her energy, her goofy personality and a rah rah spirit that made her so much fun to be around. Im so deeply sorry that she lost this fight. Please know that I offered up my Easter mass for the repose of her beautiful soul and for the comfort of all her family left behind. Her memory will shine brightly in my heart forever.
JP Frary
April 2, 2018
The McGuinness family is in our hearts.
April 2, 2018
We are so sorry to hear of your family's loss. Kendra was so full of life and a beautiful person whom I would have liked to know better. Our love and sympathy to your family. Carolyn, Ulf, and Mikael Moren
beauty so true
April 2, 2018
Julie Hagelshaw
April 1, 2018
Condolences to Matt, Riley, Molly & Shae,
Kendra was full of grace in her life. From reconnecting on the playground, ballet, basketball and play dates, I counted her as a friend. So sorry to hear of her passing.
Christl Drewry (Mitsch)
March 30, 2018
Kendra was one of the first friends that I made. When I was a new student' at age six, in the first grade at Corte Madera School, Kendra was the first to welcome me. We remained close and steadfast buddies throughout elementary school... we had. LOTS in common. (Proper dresses and shiny shoes, tights and braids, German/European parents, etc...when our classmates were in full tie dye regalia). I recently joined Facebook and reconnected with her, and found that we had one more thing in common. Advanced breast cancer. I have many photos that I would love to share with family...from the early years. My deepest sympathy to her family: husband, children, parents and friends. Kendra touched so many with her beautiful soul. And that will be with us all, forever.
Darren & Kelly Penfield
March 30, 2018
We were sorry to hear about Kendra. I enjoyed working with her at MySoftware and have many happy memories of that time. She had a wonderful laugh, warm smile and bubbly personality. She will be missed. We will be praying for the family.
Paula Kelly Caryotakis
March 30, 2018
I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of dear Kendra. I was fortunate to know her in high school and spent many hours with her on drill team and in class with Frau Parker. Several years back, when I still lived in California, I bumped into her at Target. It was just as if we had seen each other the week before even though it had been 15 years or more. She was so friendly and kind. Kendra always made you feel good just to be around her. I will never forget Kendra and the bright shining light that she was to those that knew her.
Betsy Bigelow-Teller
March 30, 2018
I'm terribly sorry for your family's painful loss. I hadn't seen Kendra since high school, but she was a delight and bright light then, and clearly never changed. May you be comforted.
Mike Thoma
March 29, 2018
I was lucky to meet and know Kendra when she joined our company when we were just getting going as a startup in Palo Alto. I have such fond memories of her. Kendra was a joy to be around.. she had such a wonderful heart.. a beautiful spirit. My heart goes out to Matt and the entire family.
Valerie Myers
March 29, 2018
My heart hurts for you McGuiness Family. I went to Menlo Atherton HS with Kendra who was always a true ray of sunshine and although stunning on the outside her true beauty blossomed from within. I didn't see Kendra a lot over the years but kept in touch with Facebook and the class reunions. Kendra's passing is a enormous loss for everyone who met her.
Kristian Kabasares
March 29, 2018
To Matt and Family,
I'm so sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest condolences.
Janelle Cooley
March 29, 2018
I'm so very sorry for your loss. I went to MA with Kendra and she was always very sweet and caring to everyone.
Ken, Megan, and Gracie
March 29, 2018
We will miss her very much.
March 29, 2018
We are so sad to hear of Kendra's passing. We hold so many wonderful memories of times with her at St Brendan's and her smile and wonderful laugh are engraved in our hearts.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Matt, Riley, Molly and Shae.
Arthur, Kathy, Olivia and Claudia Vera
Barbara, Tori and Ryan Bartels
March 29, 2018
Dear Matt, Riley, Molly and Shae,
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Kendra was, just as you state here, a positive and inspiration woman! She never ceased to amaze me with her positivity throughout the years and battles with this horrific disease. I am so saddened to hear of the loss and I pray for you all that you may find peace and comfort and that happy memories will, in time, replace the grief. We loved your mom dearly!
Forever blessings
Ann, Fred, Megan, Erin and Kelly Corcoran
March 29, 2018
Dear Matt, Riley, Molly and Shae,
Our hearts and prayers go out to you at this sad and difficult time. Kendra was an amazing person and a dear friend. We have so many wonderful memories of all the fun times we shared. She would light up any room she walked in to with her beautiful smile and infectious laugh. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Much love and strength to you all.
Deborah Shaw
March 29, 2018
Kendra added such joy to my life. She will be terribly missed. We send peace, prayers and strength at this time to you and to the entire family.
Our deepest condolences,
Deborah, Kevin, Mia and Kaeli
Maureen Hurley
March 29, 2018
Kendra was a true LIGHT, in every sense of the word. She was so beautiful, inside and out. Kendra was an inspiration to so many moms, especially when it seems to easy to get caught "sweating the small stuff". As part of her book club, bringing together women from different experiences, what united us were our values. That will continue with Kendra's spirit guiding us. The world will miss Kendra's immediate light, but the shadows she cast will live on in Matt, Riley, Molly, Shae and in all her friends. She will still be with us every day with her spirit.
Maureen Hurley & Sean O'Driscoll
March 29, 2018
Matt and Family - we are so very sorry to hear. Very difficult days for you - take care. - Bruce and Holly Olson and Family
March 29, 2018
My deepest sympathy to the McGuinness family. May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, comfort and sustain you during this most difficult time.
Monika Yungert
March 28, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. . She was an amazing person and will always be in our heart - RIP Kendra.
George, Monika, Emma and Sabina Yungert
kaaren alvarado
March 28, 2018
Please accept my sincere sympathy on your loss. She deserves to rest in peace--her smiling face and voice on the phone at LsP are a fond memory. 0x, kaaren
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