1912 – 2004

LEWISTON – Frances Churchill McGuckian, 91, of Schooner Estates, formerly of 40 Montello St., Lewiston, died Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Central Maine Medical Center.

She was born in South Paris on April 9, 1912, to Nellie C. (Blood) and Thomas Francis Mahern. Mrs. McGuckian graduated from Lewiston High School, Class of ’29, and gained employment with Western Union, in Lewiston, where she met her husband of 48 years, the late Joseph P. McGuckian.

At various times, she was employed by Macy’s in New York, as well as the Carriage House in Lewiston. She was a founding member of the Taylor Yacht Club, where she established the McGuckian Cup, which is awarded annually to a young novice sailor. She was also a founding member of Community Little Theater.

A member of the Woman’s Literary Union (WLU), she served as Treasurer. Among the other organizations she was involved in included the Dillingham Chapter of the D.A.R., and the Y.W.C.A., where she served as a Campfire Girls leader.

She was also a member of the Kiwaniannes, the Woman’s Hospital Auxiliary for C.M.M.C., and the Woman’s Art and Literature Group.

A communicant of St. Patrick’s Church, she participated in the Rosary Sodality. Mrs. McGuckian was active with the Community Chest, which later became the United Way. In recent years she served on their Allocation Committee.

She and her late husband were active in the Twin Cities for many years. In addition to being a homemaker, her interests and hobbies included hiking, mountain climbing, skiing, gardening, genealogy, knitting and reading.

Survivors include a son, Dennis of Los Angeles; three daughters, Janet and Tom O’Toole of Perth, Australia, Maureen and Edward Stillwell of Andover, Mass., and Eileen McGuckian of Norfolk, Va.; daughter-in-law, Celia A. McGuckian of Exeter, N.H.; nine grandchildren, Christian McGuckian and Kirstin (McGuckian) Kopp, Caitlin, Johanna and Liam O’Toole, Benjamin and Paige Stillwell, Brendan and Adele Lampley.

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