Kathleen Wilson

Kathleen McGuire Wilson — “Aunt Kathleen,” as all of the extended family called her — left us Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, at the age of 91. Her warm smile and beautiful spirit were a true joy to be around for all of us.

Kathleen, the fifth of six children, grew up and went to school in the small town of Hickory Grove, Missouri. Her parents, Edwin Lawrence McGuire and Lillian Allen, were married March 25, 1915. Kathleen’s paternal grandparents were Emory and Nancy Catherine McGuire.

She was preceded in death by all of her siblings: Geraldine Stroder, George Emory “Bub” McGuire, Cecil McGuire, Helen Frye and Lorene McGuire, who died in childhood.

Kathleen worked at Superior Electric, Davis Electric and Jackson Oil, and also spent many years living and working in Fresno, California. She returned to Jackson in the late 1970s after her sister Geraldine’s husband passed away, and the two lived together and were good companions for nearly 30 years.

Kathleen never had children of her own, but she was deeply loved by her nieces, nephews, great-nephews and great-nieces.

In her California years, Kathleen enjoyed being out on the golf course and traveling. After moving back to Missouri, she did a lot of fishing with her oldest niece, and she became a renewed fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, spending many hours in front of the television during baseball season.

She will be incredibly missed. Instead of goodbye, we say “Aunt Kathleen, until we meet again, know that we love you so much, and we carry you in our hearts always.”

A celebration of life/memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at New McKendree United Methodist Church, 225 S. High St. in Jackson.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.