Elvira McGuinness

Elvira B. (Elvy) McGuinness née Kovach

Elvy McGuinness, 90, of Wadsworth, Ohio, reunited with her high school sweetheart, and the love of her life, Leo, on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Elvy was born December 26, 1934, in Barberton, Ohio, to the late Stephen and Barbara Kovach. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death, by her husband, Leo McGuinness, grandson, Austin Michael Davis, Aunt Eva Nihoff, cousins, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law. She will be deeply missed by her children, Eugene (Sandy), Brian (Kathy), Sheila (Rich) Shanks, Teresa (Chris) Considine, Laura (Brian) Davis, Karla (Jay) Wehling, Daniel (Nada), David (Laura), Sean (Michelle), Mark, and Marsha (Rob) Collova; grandchildren Gregory, Brandon, Ryan (Kristy), Macy (Nathan Kanjanabout), Miles, Madison, Maxwell, Andrew (Emilee), Erin (Zackary Gilbert) and Cara McGuinness, Shilo (Nathan) Gottlieb, Nikole (Jack Ricci), Kevin (Emily) and Ashley Shanks, Sara, Megan (Pablo Lopez), Daniel, and David (Delilah Aguero) Considine, Landon and Bronson Davis, Emily (Josh) Booth, Abigail (Jeff Gill) and Benjamin Cureton, Simon (Mary) and Oliver Keen, Michelle Bradley, Daniel Clowser, Derek Wehling; great-grandchildren, Lillian, Killian, Callan, and Sebastian Gottlieb, Mason and Blaine McGuinness, Berklee, McKinlee, and Finlee Shanks, Weston, Oren, and Ever Booth, Nicholas Bradley, Brenton and Blake Clowser; sister-in-law Helen McGuinness, and many nieces, nephews, Godchildren, and friends.

Elvy and Leo shared a beautiful and loving marriage for 62 years. Their love story began when Elvy wrote Leo a note (we still have the note) asking him to the Sadie Hawkins dance at Barberton High School in 1951, and of course he accepted. They raised 11 children together, and were blessed with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was a faithful parishioner at the Visitation of Mary Church (formerly Annunciation), where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, and enjoyed singing at mass, particularly in the front pew, where in the early years she told her children the priest could see if they were behaving.

Elvy was creative in many ways, including as a talented seamstress, designing, tailoring, and sewing beautiful clothing for herself, her family, and many bridesmaids. After leaving her bank job to start a family, she used her secretarial skills to draft contracts and documents for Leo's businesses. She spent 17 years volunteering as an usher at Cleveland Playhouse Square, enjoying hundreds of performances. Her grandchildren could always count on having Grandma's hot chocolate and cinnamon toast at the kitchen table. If Elvy saw you out and about, she was sure to say "hello", and never missed an opportunity to have a chat.

Her strong faith in God, and praying the holy rosary, were a constant part of her life, she was ever mindful and thankful for her blessings, and smiled until the very end. Over the last few years, her favorite saying was "I'm glad you belong to me." Think of her when you see a butterfly, especially if it's blue, as those were her favorite.

The family would like to thank The Village of St. Edward, Wadsworth, Memory Care, especially Missy and Patty who were so patient, kind, and caring.

Calling hours: Friday, March 14th, 5:00- 8:00 pm at Hummel Funeral Home, 500 E. Exchange St. Akron, Ohio 44304. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 am Saturday March 15th, at Visitation of Mary (formerly Annunciation), 55 Broad St. Akron. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Austin Michael Davis Memorial Endowment Fund, c/o Akron Children's Hospital.