Sending care packages to our troops and assisting military families in need
Joan (Wareing) McGuire
Vice President of NECFOM
Joan R. McGuire, 80, passed away at her home in the arms of her loving children on May 9, 2012. Joan was born and resided in Lawrence, MA, the beloved daughter of the late Charles B. and Eleanor (Aurila)Sereigo.
Joan held multiple jobs throughout her life while caring for her 8 children. Joan was a nursing assistant at the Pine Crest Nursing Home and also waitressed at Don’s Manor and Koza’s Café and worked as a school attendant at the Corliss School in Methuen. Joan enjoyed crocheting and attending bingo and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary unit 122 in Methuen and was a lifetime honorary member of the Holy Ghost Society.
Joan previously served as vice-secretary and went on to become vice president of New England Caring for Our Military (NECFOM), a charity based in Methuen that sends care packages to our troops and assists families with military funerals. During Operation Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan Enduring Freedom Joan's volunteerism was instrumental in executing large scale care package drives. During one care package drive Joan spent 11 days straight helping wrap the 20,000 Christmas gifts collected from 12,000 local area students. This care package drive was recognized by President George W. Bush during his Christmas radio address to the nation on December 25, 2006.
Joan also spent countless hours cutting and sewing American flags that were donated by Malden Mills/Polartec which hung on highway overpasses in support of our military. She also made small yellow support ribbon pins that were distributed during vigils and then during the funeral mass for SSG Alex Jimenez who had been captured and killed in Iraq in 2007. Joan became and remained very close friends with SSG Jimenez’s father Ramon “Andy” Jimenez and his family up until her death.
During the last 5 years Joan was the driving force with her determination and perseverance as she helped bring justice for our "Aunt Betty", Elizabeth Lacey, which resulted in a 2 day court trial where justice prevailed against individuals who are now being investigated by the District Attorney's Office and other agencies.
In 1950 Joan married Richard C. Wareing whom she met at the Bucket of Blood, a popular rolling skating rink in Lawrence and were a well known couple for their dancing the jitterbug on roller skates. Joan is survived by their two daughters, Denise Clegg and Diane Forrester and her fiancé Gary Feugill of Lawrence, four sons Richard Wareing and his wife Kathy of Litchfield, NH, Charles Wareing of Cummings, GA, James Sereigo-Wareing of Boston, Glenn Wareing and his wife Lynn of Salem, NH. Joan was predeceased by their eldest son Michael A. Wareing, Esq., brothers Bernard and Charles Sereigo, sister Beatrice Durrell and a close aunt Elizabeth U. Lacey.
In 1990 and after a 22 year courtship with Robert McGuire whom she met during the Kentucky Derby, Joan remarried and added another son to our family, Raymond McGuire of Kingsport, TN. Her beloved husband Robert passed away in August 2000. Joan is also survived by Linda Kental of Islip, NY and she loved and enjoyed the company of her 14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews including Karen Beard of Lawrence.
ARRANGEMENTS: Calling hours are Monday May 14 from 4-8 p.m. at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, May 15 at the funeral home chapel at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence, MA. In lieu of flowers Joan asked that contributions be made to New England Caring for Our Military Inc, P.O. Box 2311, Methuen, MA 01844.
For directions and online condolences, please visit www.cataudellafh.com.
MAY 14, 2012
WE ARE A FAMILY RUN SMALL CHARITY AND DUE TO OUR MATRIARCH'S DEATH WE HAVE SUSPENDED OPERATIONS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
As of March 17, 2012 NECFOM has shipped 29,759 care packages containing products valued over $860,600 raised by schools and other organizations for our deployed troops.
NECFOM has mailed more than 71,525 cards and letters to our troops utilizing more than 22,480 volunteers made up of students and civic organizations throughout the New England area. NECFOM supports our troops by organizing troop drives within schools and civic organizations throughout the New England states supporting all military personnel around the globe. NECFOM pays for the packaging and for any postage for the products that they raise to send to our heroes who defend our freedom.
