8/29/09 - Barbara Weld McGuire - wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away in Ithaca, NY at the age of 88. She first came to Chebeague as a little girl with her family, parents Dr. Stanley and Frances Weld, her brothers Bob and David Weld, and uncle and aunt Frank and Gertrude Jones. She cherished summers on Chebeague's East End and we miss her very much.
BARBARA WELD McGUIRE
ITHACA - Barbara Weld McGuire died peacefully Saturday, August 29, 2009, at Cayuga Medical Center. Born September 23, 1920 in Hartford, Connecticut, she was the daughter of Doctor Stanley B. and S. Frances Weld.
Following high school in Hartford, Barbara attended Colby Junior College in New Hampshire, graduating in 1940. She then transferred to Connecticut College in New London, majoring in sociology and psychology and graduating in 1942. After graduation she was a medical social worker in the Hartford Hospital and in 1943 became the executive secretary for the Infantile Paralysis Foundation for Hartford County. On February 5, 1944 she married Bill McGuire in Hartford and followed him through his wartime Navy career. The couple came to Ithaca in February 1946, Bill as a graduate student, and, in his support, Barbara as a caseworker for the Ithaca Family Society. Following graduate school and two years living in Massachusetts, they returned to Ithaca, their permanent home. In 1949 she became active in the Family and Children's Service and on the Board of the Ithaca Mental Health Association. Among many other community affairs, she was active in the Cornell Engineering Women's Club, the Ithaca Garden Club and as a secretary in the First Presbyterian Church.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband of sixty-five years; sons, Robert (Judy) and Thomas (Nieves); brother, David (Jean) Weld; sister-in-law, Grace Weld; granddaughters, Christina (Brenden) Adelman and Marketa (Zach) Elsner; great-grandson, Cash Adelman; cousin, Carolyn Macdermott; and also by Gail Dunn; and several other nieces and nephews; and a very dear family friend, Helena Ferriss.
Over the years, Barbara traveled extensively with her husband, making a home wherever they were and being a gracious hostess. She entertained many students who will never forget her kindness and hospitality during their years at Cornell. Barbara was a kind and generous hearted person and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
A memorial service is planned for a date, time and place still to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Cornell Plantations.
Bangs Funeral Home is assisting the family.