- Date Of Birth: July 21, 1938
- Date Of Death: November 25, 2017
- State: Illinois
Joan (Feld) McGuire, 79, of Peru, passed away Saturday, November 25, 2017 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Dr. McGuire was born July 21, 1938 in Carroll, IA to Edward and Elaine (Wirtz) Feld. She married James D. McGuire on August 18, 1962 in Carroll, IA. Joan received her bachelor’s degree in music education from Viterbo College, LaCrosse, WI, her master’s degree in music performance (cello) from the University of Iowa, and a PhD in educational administration from Illinois State University. Joan started her career as a music teacher in Newhall, CA. She continued working as a music teacher at St. Bede Academy, Illinois Valley Community College, and the Spring Valley Elementary School District.
She then moved into administration, serving as principal of Jackson School and Northwest School in LaSalle. She also served as a grant administrator for the district. She then became superintendent of the LaSalle Elementary School District and retired in 2009. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the LaSalle Rotary. She served on the Board of the Illinois Valley Youth Symphony and the Lighted Way. She was an accomplished cellist and played for the Springfield Symphony, the Davenport Symphony, and the LaCrosse Symphony Orchestra. For many years she taught private cello lessons and played in a musical trio at area events. Although the last several years of Joan’s life brought physical struggles, she never lost her zest for life. After years of kidney dialysis, a kidney transplant, and a 7-month long stay in the hospital, she remained strong-willed and never gave up the will to live. She loved to smile and laugh and believed that having a positive attitude was the key to getting through anything. Joan had a passion for music and for teaching.
She brought energy and enthusiasm to everything she did. She loved spending time with her family and most especially her beloved grandchildren. She will be missed by her children, James (Lynn) McGuire of Carroll, IA, Elaine (Richard) Robinson of Dimmick Twp., Thomas McGuire of Dalzell and Jean McGuire of LaSalle; seven grandchildren, Patrick and James McGuire, Maria, Sarah, and Matthew Robinson, Zach and Hallie McGuire; two step-grandchildren, Andrew Smith and Ashley Lampe; one brother Dr. Thomas (Donna) Feld of Marion, IA; two nieces and four nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James McGuire on November 14, 2010; two brothers, Jay and William Feld; two nieces and one nephew.
