Judy McGuire passed away peacefully on August 27, 2023, at Bryan Memorial Hospital, at the age of 80. She is survived by three children, Debra McGuire, Jason McGuire, and Mayde (Mary) Mc-Guire, all of Lincoln; by two sisters, LaVeta Sargent of Lincoln, and Bonita Parks of Ord; and by six and 2/3 grandchildren: Morgan, Rian, Devan, Haydn, Cooper, Kaia, and one on the way.
Judy is preceded in death by parents, Henry O. and MayDe P. Beel, husband, Harold McGuire, and brother, Henry C. Beel.
Judy was born in Ainsworth, on July 10, 1943. She grew up on the Beel Ranch south of Johnstown, and attended country school in Cherry County. She graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1960 at the age of 16. She moved to Lincoln to attend cosmetology school, and has maintained her license to this day. After graduation, she moved to New Orleans and worked as a barber in the French Quarter. She returned to the ranch in 1964 to marry the love of her life, Harold McGuire.
Judy and Harold enjoyed raising their children on the ranch but in 1971 decided to move to Valentine. Judy helped Harold start the Sandhills Sports Center, which was later sold to the Thorton family. In 1976, Judy started work at the Cherry County Hospital as a nurse’s aide. She worked the night shift for three years while still working the day shift at home. In 1979 she started a correspondence course in respiratory therapy and continued to work in that field until her death. Over her 47 year career at the Cherry County Hospital, she rode the ambulance, worked at more clinics than can be remembered, worked in Account Payable, Material Management, and was the Department Head of Purchasing.
She answered many calls in the middle of the night, and during the covid years, worked diligently to procure hard-to-come-by supplies. She loved her work, her coworkers, and her patients. She was the first recipient of the Eva Tyler award and most recently won the Star Award after nomination by one of her patients.
Judy loved Elvis, and saw him perform in Ft. Worth in the 1970s. She loved to travel and saw most of the United States as a member of the D.O.E.S., and was State President with the order between 1973 and 1974. She grew beautiful roses and loved feeding birds in her backyard. Her grandchildren were the light of her life and she was a most excellent grandma. She was one of the nicest people in the world, and will be missed by many.
The funeral service for Judy Ann McGuire was held Saturday, September 2 at the Valentine Methodist Church. Pastor Jake Schadel officiated at the 10:00 a.m. service. The burial followed at 1:30 p.m. at the Ainsworth Cemetery. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine was entrusted with funeral arrangements.
