Published in the March 31, 2017 edition
MELROSE — Louise E. (Berg) McGuinness, 70, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully at Mass General Hospital in Boston on Friday, March 24. Louise was born in Melrose on July 12, 1946, one of three daughters of the late Henning E. Berg and Ethel C. (Littlefield) Berg. She was raised in Malden, attended Malden schools, and graduated from the Mansfield Beauty Academy. On March 29, 1964, she married Gerald V. McGuinness and they settled in Melrose to raise a family of two sons. Louise worked part time, but her first priority was always her family. Louise faced many physical ailments but her care for her family, and love for those around her never wavered. She endured, staying positive with her bubbly nature, fun sense of humor, or love for finding gifts on the QVC network. Louise took great joy in visits with her grandchildren, shopping trips with her sisters, or time spent all together on Cobbett’s Pond in New Hampshire. Louise and Gerry enjoyed extensive travel together to warm destinations and as a family experienced Disney with the grandchildren. For years, she loved cooking, lunch dates with her sisters, and always stayed involved in her son’s lives. An avid sports fan, she was always proud to share her knowledge of the Patriots, Red Sox, and Bruins. Louise had a great appreciation for music. In particular, she loved Ronan Tynan and the Irish Tenors who she sang along to in concert many times with Gerry. She also loved her dog Roscoe, a lhasa apso who provided great comfort. She was a doting wife, generous mother, and caring grandmother until the end. Louise will be remembered for her inner strength, generous nature, and above all else, her love for her family. She will be missed but always lovingly remembered. Louise was the beloved wife of Gerald V. McGuinness with whom she shared 53 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Richard F. McGuinness and his wife Kristen of Stoneham, and Kenneth G. McGuinness and his fiancé Lindsey Scapicchio of Saugus. She was the treasured sister of Joan Collins and her late husband Ronald of Melrose, and Janice DeSimone and her husband Stephen of Wakefield. She was the loving grandmother of Ryan, Kaitlyn and Kevin McGuinness. She was the dear cousin of Phyllis Churchill of Windham, NH, and the late Carolyn Webber. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of Louise during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Tuesday, March 28, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and again on Wednesday at 9 a.m. before leaving in procession to Trinity Church, 131 W. Emerson St., Melrose for her funeral service celebrated at 10 a.m. Donations in Louise’s memory may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 29 Crafts St., Suite 450, attn: Elaine Mooney, Newton, MA 02458. Interment in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. For online tribute, condolences or directions visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com
