Joan Alice McGuire

Joan A. McGuire passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at the age of 93. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, on September 22, 1932. Joan lived her life as an inspirational daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She led a life devoted to the Catholic Church, where she loved to sing in the choir.

Joan attended New Haven State Teacher’s College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in early education.

On August 20, 1955, Joan married the love of her life, the late James F. McGuire (Jim), in their home state of Connecticut.

While serving the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War, Jim notified his then fiancé, Joan, that he had met an abandoned infant girl while volunteering his free time at St. Teresa’s Catholic Orphanage in South Korea, and wanted to bring her back to the United States for Jim and Joan to adopt. Without hesitation, a 22 year old Joan agreed and the child was brought to the United States and adopted by Jim and Joan. This demonstrates her selfless and loving nature; always putting the needs of others first. Jim and Joan went on to have seven more children.

Together they shared 55 years of marriage, building a life rooted in devotion, humor and commitment to their family.

Family time meant everything to Joan. She especially cherished every moment with her family in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Joan now joins in Heaven her loving husband, James F. McGuire, who died on November 22, 2010; her son, William Mark McGuire, who died on August 31, 1988, and her daughter, Debra A. McGuire-Hayer, who died on August 20, 2022, and her great-grandson, Jackson Thomas McGuire, who died on May 16, 2016.

Joan is survived by her daughter, Barbara McGuire-Nelson, and her husband, James T. Nelson, III; her son, Matthew M. McGuire, and his wife, Patricia M. McGuire; her daughter, Rosemary K. Burns, and her husband, Robert V. Burns; her daughter, Sally A. Krzywicki and her husband Robert A. Krzywicki; her son, James J. McGuire, and his wife, Susan G. McGuire; her son, Thomas M. McGuire, and his wife, Stephanie J. Zeiszler-McGuire, her son-in-law, Ralph A. Hayer; and her honorary daughter, Pamela A. Oeler.

Joan leaves an impressive legacy of twenty-three grandchildren and twenty-four great grandchildren, with another great grandchild due in early 2026.

Joan will be remembered for her joyful sense of humor, warm smile, quiet strength, and the calming presence that she carried wherever she went and shared with all.

A viewing is scheduled on Monday, December 8, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Murphy’s Funeral Home, located at 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia. Her funeral Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2025 10:00 a.m. at her beloved St. Agnes Catholic Church located at 1910 North Randolph St., Arlington, Virginia. Joan’s burial will follow the Mass at Columbia Gardens Cemetery, located at 3411 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia.

Should anyone wish to make a charitable contribution in honor of Joan, please feel free to donate to Catholic Charities of the Arlington Diocese or the Alzheimer’s Association.