Margaret E. “Peggy” McGuirk, of Butler, Pennsylvania, passed away on December 5, 2021 at Butler Hospital.
She was born January 13, 1934 in Chicora, PA to the late Lorenzo and Florence (Gilmore) McCollough. Peggy worked as a Dental Assistant for Dr. Will Suppler and Dr. Richard Bonnett
before retiring in 1993. She had a variety of interests and was involved with Rainbow Girls and Eastern Star for many years. Peggy began playing the organ at the age of fourteen, following in the footsteps of her mother, and has served as a church organist for almost 72 years. One friend noted that she spend more time “on the bench” than Judge Judy. She was currently the organist at Covenant UP Church in Butler and enjoyed planning and preparing music for festive seasons of the church year, working with soloists and choirs.
Peggy loved music and played for many shows with MTG Theatre, MTG (Bob McGInnis) Singers, Jewish Men’s Chorale, Hill Youth Chorale and Swingsations. She served as a board member for the Butler Symphony for almost 20 years and recently as the secretary for the Homeowner’s Association at Crown Pointe. Other interests included traveling with family members and an annual family vacation to Lakeside, OH. She was known for her pleasant and accommodating nature, except when it came to playing cards with her grandchildren. Peggy always had a “project” in process, and delighted in traveling to assist her children in seasonal activities as “extra hands” were needed. She had an open heart and was devoted to her family, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Robert McGuirk. They were strong supporters of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Pops, and served as ushers for many years at Benedum Center.
She is survived by one son John E. McGuirk (Richard Knaggs) of San Francisco, CA, and three daughters Kathy (Dr. Tim Philabaum) of Perrysburg, OH, Margie (Dr. Dan Vogt) of Delaware, OH , Beth (Gary Gazica) of Westview, PA, 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, niece Martha Zeigler (Paul) Eberhardt of North Hills, PA and brother John (Brice) McCollough of Blue Belle, PA and other nieces and nephews.
A private burial was held on Wednesday, Dec 8 at Hemphill Cemetery, Chicora, PA.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 8 at 11:00am at the First United Methodist Church, 215 North McKean Street, Butler. The family requests that only those who are vaccinated attend the Celebration of Life, and masks will be required.
Memorials can be made to Butler County Symphony Association, 295 South Main Street, Butler, PA 16001 or Covenant Presbyterian Church, 230 East Jefferson, Butler, PA 16001
Arrangements are being handled by the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home.
Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.