Ollie "Pat" McGuire

The year was 1916, Woodrow Wilson was president, the Chicago Cubs played their first game ever and Ollie Geneva Albough was born November 4th in Helena, Montana. She was number six out of nine children born to G.B. and Judy Albough. As an infant, Ollie was so small that her parents placed her in a shoebox that would rest above their wood burning stove to keep her warm during the cold Montana days.

As a young child her family decided to move to Nebraska where she was raised, learning hard work from an early age. Normal duties at that time were taking care of her brothers and sisters, but also tending to farm duties. It was these early years of her life during the Great Depression that shaped the foundation of her life.

Entertainment was found during these hard times by her love of baseball, which she acquired from her father, G.B. He had been drafted by the Chicago Cubs as a pitcher, but had to turn the offer down. In those times baseball players did not make much money, and G.B. and a family to support.

As Ollie grew up she continued to work on the family farm and eventually met a young carpenter by the name of John McGuire. They dated for a while and when John was ready to pop the question to Ollie (who he later nicknamed Pat) she had no choice but to say yes. John took Pat to the fair and had arranged with the Ferris wheel operator to stop once they reached the top. John and Pat hopped on and as the wheel went up and approached the summit the Ferris wheel stopped. John proposed to Pat, telling her they wouldn’t move until she said yes. They were happily married in 1937.

In 1943 with war times taking place there was a real shortage of work in Nebraska, John had been to Oregon before and felt making the move out to the beautiful northwest would be a wise choice for his family. As a family they made the move out west and settled in North Portland. Both Pat and John worked at the shipyards; Pat was a real “Rosie the riveter”, as she worked as a welder supporting the war efforts. She was determined and believed she could do anything. If she didn’t know how to do it, she learned.

Other jobs in her life included working at Pretty Brush where they made paint brushes, Pacific Screw where they made license plates, and she later retired from Fred Meyer manufacturing pharmaceuticals. But, Pat’s most important job in life was being a mother to her children Rodney and Darla. As a mother Pat was sure to be supportive and attending their activities and when Pat became a grandmother she enjoyed watching Rodney’s boys play baseball. She never missed a game, never.

She attended United Presbyterian Church on Lombard for twenty years, gardened in her yard, and was an exceptional baker, apple pie being her signature. Pat was also an amazing seamstress, never using a machine; she was so precise with each hand stitch. She made Darla’s clothes growing up, quilts, and later on items for her grandbabies. Let’s also not forget about her love for baseball, specifically the Mariners.

In 1969 John passed away and Pat took on the full responsibility of the home. She was extremely independent, and set her mind to do anything. This continued for the rest of her life until February 7, 2013 when she passed away.

If there was anything Pat McGuire would be remembered for it was her can-do attitude, readiness and determination to do anything she set her mind on.

She is survived by her children, Rodney (Dorothy) McGuire and Darla (Rick) Curry; sister, Vera “Billie” Adams ; six grandchildren and ten great- grandchildren.

Contributions can be made in her name to the American Heart Association.