Surrounded by family and love, Celia McGuinness(Hewett) passed away on December 4th, 2024, at home in her 85th year. Celia was the cherished mother of Susan (Thom) and James (Lisa), and the proud grandmother of Victoria (Eoin), Dylan (Bri), James, and Barbara. She was predeceased by John (Jackie) Joachim McGuinness, the Irishman, a devoted husband and father who died at the young age of 44 but not before making a significant impact on her life and those he met in business and community.
Celia grew up in Hagley, a small village in England, and after completing her training as a State Registered nurse ( SRN) she worked as a head nurse in the operating room in Plymouth before emigrating to Canada in 1965. She never lost her love of the English countryside and the many moods of the sea. She travelled widely in Europe, The West Indies and S. America and enjoyed the new experiences those holidays brought her.

A woman of creativity, wisdom, intelligence, and kindness, Celia was known for her generous spirit and remarkable ability to think outside the box. Her love for music was evident throughout her life, from working toward her Grade 10 piano to helping found and run the Music Alive concert program at Cliffcrest United Church and the Springboard to Music community program for children at Scarborough Bluffs United Church, where her talent for bringing people together through music was truly felt.
Celia’s faith was a cornerstone of her life, and she was deeply involved in her church community. She was a member of the choir, Worship Committee and Bible Study groups, led the outreach committee, taught Sunday School, and played a key role in setting up the daycare program at Cliffcrest Church, which still exists as Clilffcrest Community Centre on Eglington Ave. Her dedication to her church and its members was immense, and her impact will be felt for years to come.

Her professional life was equally fulfilling. Celia worked at Central Hospital until she had children, at which point she devoted herself to raising her family. After returning to work, she pursued further education, earning a 4-year degree from Ryerson University, where she consistently ranked in the top 2 of her class. She went on to obtain a Master’s in Psychiatry from the Adler Institute and worked at Branson Hospital in the Psychiatric ward, running the Eating Disorder Program from 1985 to 1990. After early retirement, Celia returned to teaching, instructing post-secondary students and helping nurses prepare for their exams in Ontario and the USA. Even in retirement, Celia remained incredibly busy, leading workshops on Labyrinths and continuing her dedicated work with the church, all while cherishing time with her grandchildren.
Celia is survived by her loving family and will be missed by many who were touched by her warmth, dedication, and unwavering support.

A funeral/celebration of life service followed by a Reception will be held on Friday, December 13th, 2024, at 10:00 AM, at Scarborough Bluffs United Church. The family would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to the East Durham Palliative Care team for their compassion and dedication during Celia’s final days. Words cannot express how thankful we are for the care and love you showed our family.
In memory of Celia, donations can be made to pancreatic cancer research or Scarborough Bluffs United Church, supporting the ongoing work she so deeply valued.