Sister Ruth McGuire, IHM, 98, died Saturday, Sept. 10, at her home, the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe, Michigan.
Sister Ruth was one of five children born to James and Genevieve “Jennie” (Simonson) McGuire of Detroit. Born on March 22, 1924, she was baptized “Ruth” at St. Ambrose Church, Grosse Pointe Park. Ruth attended Karstens Elementary, Jackson Junior High and Southeastern High School (Detroit). After graduation in 1941, she entered the Society of Mary Reparatrix, Detroit. Sister Ruth transferred her religious commitment to the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe, in 1971.
Sister Ruth earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Detroit and served in prayer ministry and religious education for over 22 years, serving in Detroit, New York and Cincinnati.
As an IHM Sister, her ministry as director/coordinator of Religious Education brought her to Holy Name Parish (Birmingham) and at St. Gertrude Parish (St. Clair Shores). She was also employed by the Ohio Dioceses of Cleveland and Columbus in the Office of Religious Education. She returned to Detroit in 1985 at St. Brigid and then as a pastoral associate for the parishes of St. Bruno (Nadeau) and Prince of Peace (Muskegon).
While residing at the convent at Marygrove College, she served her community and assisted in office administration at Good Shepard (Lincoln Park.) Throughout the years of ministry, Sister Ruth was consistent in keeping her academic skills updated through workshops and in-services.
Retiring to the IHM Motherhouse in 1992, she volunteered in various Motherhouse activities and served her fellow sisters. One delightful task was being named director of the “shoppe” for the community in 2003. She stayed involved in the operation and purchasing until her health declined and interfered with her work.
Sister Ruth is survived by her IHM Sisters. Preceded in death by her parents and siblings James, Doris, and Alice McGuire and Lois Mudgett.
Read Sister Ruth’s Remembering here.