Dorothy M. Maguire

Dorothy M. Maguire nee Fedro, 94, passed away peacefully at MemoryCare of Little Rock where she was well cared for by staff with Kindred Care providing hospice assistance. Dorothy was born in Hoboken, N.J., on March 25, 1928. She married her husband, Joseph M. Maguire, in 1956. She lived with him in Brooklyn until she retired in 1988 and moved to Fayetteville, Ark., where she stayed after his passing in 1991. Dorothy began her career with JCPenney as a keypunch operator in 1962. JCPenney gave her the opportunity to be trained in-house as a computer programmer, a skill in short supply in the 1960s. She got her GED and took the opportunity. She studied long hours to become proficient in COBOL. She received letters of commendation for her work writing programs for inventory control. She became a technical writer and spent some time in marketing. She retired in 1988 when JCPenney moved its headquarters to Plano, Texas. After raising her daughter, Dorothy became active in her Brooklyn community and helped organize and transform three abandoned lots into a neighborhood garden, started her dream of getting a college degree by taking classes at Baruch College, CUNY, and got her driver's license when she turned 50. Moving to Fayetteville and attending the University of Arkansas fulfilled her lifelong dream of a college degree. With the Fulbright program, she studied Spanish in Costa Rica and Theater in London. She earned her BA in History in 1998 when she was 70. Her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson proudly applauded at her graduation at the Barnhill. She loved her life and friends in Fayetteville whether going to movies or hanging out in Rick's Bakery. She was an avid walker and was readily recognized around town in her trademark white T-shirt and shorts. She loved going to the beach and took every chance to go to San Destin, Fla. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her daughter, Jeannine MM Stephens, and grandson, Andrew M Stephens. Visitation held 1:30-2 p.m. and funeral service will follow at 2 p.m, Wednesday, June 15 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Fayetteville. Ark. Burial will be at St Joseph's Cemetery where she will be interred with her husband, Joseph. Services entrusted to Smith-Benton funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.