Geraldine “Gerry” McGuire

Geraldine “Gerry” McGuire, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away at 98 years old, peacefully after a brief and courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving family. In her final moments, John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” played alongside a Kansas City Royals baseball game — a fitting farewell for a woman who loved her family, her Ozark roots and her KC Royals.

Gerry was born on May 12, 1928, in Garnett, Kansas, to Harley and Nelle Helms. She was the next-to-youngest of six daughters and distinguished herself academically from an early age. Gerry skipped a grade in elementary school and graduated as valedictorian of her high school class, earning a scholarship to Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri.

As a young woman, Gerry moved to Seattle, Washington, where she worked in management for Boeing. It was there that she met her second husband, Paul McGuire, Sr., while he was on leave from the United States Army. As Paul prepared to leave the Army and return home to Rapid City, South Dakota, Gerry and her daughter, Stevie, moved there to await his arrival.

On June 3, 1959, Gerry and Paul welcomed their son, Paul McGuire, Jr. Tragically, just months later, on December 24, 1959, Gerry learned that Paul Sr. had been killed in a private plane crash while traveling home. His death was a devastating loss for Gerry, and she never remarried.

Wanting to be closer to her family in Camdenton, Missouri, Gerry eventually moved to Kansas City, where she built a long and successful career with Farmland Industries. She retired after 27 years of service. Never one to sit still for long, Gerry continued working several part-time jobs after retirement and remained actively working into her late 80s.

Those who knew Gerry will remember her for her loyalty, generosity, quick wit, and fun-loving personality. She was independent, hardworking, and devoted to the people she loved.

Above everything else, family was the center of Gerry’s life. She was very close to both of her children and grandchildren. Gerry lived with her granddaughter Kim and her loving husband Chaz, whom she was very fond of, for many years and she cherished the home they all shared.

To her family, she was Grammy — but that name extended far beyond those related to her by blood. Gerry was lovingly known as “Grammy” by so many of the friends of her children and grandchildren that it became a running joke that many people probably didn’t even know her real name. She had a way of making the people around her feel like family, and over the years, “Grammy” became exactly that to so many who loved her.

Some of Gerry’s happiest memories were made in the kitchen. She and her daughter loved collecting and trying new recipes, particularly at Christmastime, when cookies and candy were always on the menu. If one of them discovered a new recipe, it was quickly shared with the other so they could both try it.

Eventually, Gerry compiled a cookbook filled with recipes and stories from past years and long ago. It became a treasured family keepsake and a reflection of something Gerry did exceptionally well: bringing people together through food. Gerry was an excellent cook (THE BEST banana bread maker) and the recipes she shared will continue to be part of her family for generations.

Gerry also loved taking her family out to dinner, where she was always happy to enjoy a good meal and a couple of glasses of wine. She often joked that wine was part of what kept her young along with her love for walking miles every day into her 80s. And perhaps she was onto something, because no one could ever believe her age. Even well into her 90s, she had a youthful spirit and an appearance to match.

Gerry lived a remarkable life spanning 98 years, but her legacy cannot be measured simply by its length. It lives on in the family she loved, the recipes she passed down, the traditions she created, the laughter she shared, and the countless memories made around dinner tables, on cruises, during card games, and while cheering on her KC Royals.

Gerry was preceded in death by her parents, Harley and Nelle Helms; her beloved stepmother, Erna Howard; her husband, Paul McGuire Sr.; and her five sisters, Helen McLeod, Mildred “Mick” Miller, Virginia “Ginny” Deering, Bernadine Randall Wicklein, and Jean Claiborn.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Stephanie “Stevie” Dodd; her son, Paul McGuire, Jr.; her granddaughter, Kim Yennie and her husband Chaz Yennie; her great-granddaughter, Alexandra Mortallaro; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends whose lives were made richer by knowing her.

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 10, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with funeral services on Friday,

September 11, at 1:00 p.m., at Terrace Park Funeral Home, 801 NW 108th Street, Kansas City, Missouri.

A private family burial will immediately follow.

The family wishes to extend its heartfelt gratitude to Vitas Hospice for the compassionate and loving care provided to Gerry during her illness.

In honor of Gerry and her lifelong devotion to the Kansas City Royals, the family invites those attending

her services to wear their favorite Royals attire — and perhaps cheer a little louder for a Royals win in her honor.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Humane Society of Ray County or Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter.

Grammy's wish was always for everyone to go out and do something nice for someone else – an attempt to make the world a little bit sweeter.

Rest in peace, Mom/Grammy. You will remain with us always.

A life well lived and a job exceptionally well done