Adored, adventure-loving aunt, Karen Maguire, dies at 57

Born on March 27, 1967 to Mary Maguire (née Lawless) and James Maguire (deceased), Karen Maquire grew up in the Inwood section of Manhattan and was a proud graduate of Good Shepherd and Mount Saint Ursula.

Staying close to home, she attended Manhattan College School of Engineering in Riverdale, where she graduated with honors. After graduation, she began an impressive 30-year career with Verizon, then known as NYNEX. While rising to various executive positions within the company, she received her MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s acclaimed Wharton Executive MBA Program. 

Unfortunately, shortly after her retirement in August of 2020, the breast cancer she had survived years prior, returned. With the support of her family and the exceptional team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, she lived four more challenging, yet joy-filled years, earning her a new nickname –  “Wonder Woman.” She leaves behind her mother, Mary, who was by her side throughout her illness, tirelessly caring for her with devoted attention.

She leaves behind her sisters, Christine Maguire, Laura Maguire Orzo and Jacqui Maguire; her brothers-in-law, Steve Orzo and Gary Schlosberg; her uncle Thomas Forkin; her step-mother, Joyce Fiorentino Maguireher; her dear cousins, Thomas Forkin, Brian Forkin, and Janet and Paul Grech; as well as their children, Thomas, Brendan, Alexandra, James, Robert, Jillian and Phoebe. She generously gathered this group together for long trips at the beach every summer, cementing a strong bond between her extended families.

Her impact was perhaps felt most in her relationship with her grown nieces, Jessica (20) and Nicole (14). They were a constant source of joy and affection for their aunt, bringing out heradventurous side through trips abroad and visits to amusement parks. When her younger nieces were born, you would find her on the floor playing and building with Julia (9) and Alexis (7). And Karen was determined to meet her newest niece, which she did joyfully when Evie arrived last month.

A memorial gathering was held on Sunday, Oct. 27 from 2-6 p.m. at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home.