Elizabeth McGuire
Elizabeth McGuire, who had been a familiar presence in a number of East Hampton’s popular restaurants over the years, died at home on Sept. 8 in Melbourne, Fla. Ms. McGuire had been diagnosed with leukemia in 1989 but had recovered and gone on to lead an active life. She was 76.
Called Betty, Ms. McGuire took pride in being a waitress and in training career newcomers. Working in restaurants was “a great way to make a living and still be home with the kids,” her family recalled her saying. Among the restaurants where she provided guests with “the very best dining experience,” according to her family, were Chez Labbat, Spring Close House, and the 1770 House. She made many friends among her regular customers, they said.
As the parent of four children, Ms. McGuire was a Cub Scout den mother, a Girl Scout leader, a chaperone for their schools’ class trips, as well as a sports fan. She loved raising her children, her family said, and was known for the Swedish meatballs she served at family parties in the family’s Cove Hollow Road, East Hampton, house. “She was an outstanding cook, known to make the entire menu of any family celebration from scratch,” they said.
Born Elizabeth Olejnik on July 4, 1939, at Southampton Hospital to Robert Olejnik and the former Lena Josephine Laspesa, she grew up in Sag Harbor.
On April 13, 1956, she and Edward F. McGuire Jr. were married. The couple retired to Melbourne in 1994 and spent 20 years traveling and visiting their children for weddings and the birth of grandchildren.
Mr. McGuire, who is known as Frank, survives, as do their children, who are Frank McGuire of Palm Bay, Fla., Nora Jean Grenier of Waterbury Center, Vt., Liz McGuire of Bradenton, Fla., and Cindy McGuire of West Palm Beach, Fla. She is also survived by a sister, Carol Olejnik of Sag Harbor, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Two other sisters, Helen Ragusa and Jane Larson, and a brother, Robert Olejnik, died before her, as did a grandson, Matthew McGuire.
Memorial donations have been suggested to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue N., Seattle 98109, to Wuesthoff Hospice and Palliative Care, 8060 Spyglass Hill Road, Viera, Fla. 32940, or to another hospice organization.