Helen M.T. McGurk

Helen M.T. McGurk passed away on September 10, 2021. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 4, 1937. Helen was married on September 14, 1957 to Joseph McGurk (2/17/36-4/12/19) in Glasgow, Scotland. Helen would often gleefully share that upon her 1963 arrival to the beautiful state of Florida that she felt that she had woken up inside a happy, fun-filled Doris Day movie. Helen was a loving, caring mother to four children and an inspiration to all who were blessed to know her through her lived example of charity and kindness. Helen was a devout lifelong Catholic and a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish here in Gainesville, Florida. She held a B.A. in English from Florida Atlantic University and was a member of the honor’s society Phi Kappa Phi. Helen was a brilliant teacher who taught in South Florida and was referred to by her colleagues as a true bluestocking. She had a great love of books and literature of all kinds and was an avid reader and lifelong learner who enjoyed sharing her knowledge and imparting her wisdom to any and all who would benefit. Helen was also a lover of the arts. She enjoyed theatre, music, poetry, and movies (of which she had an amazingly profound and detailed knowledge). Family members often admiringly quipped that it was often easier to find something out by asking Mom, rather than using an online search engine. She made many friends throughout her lifetime and maintained friendships that spanned over six decades and also spanned the globe. She is survived by her four children, Kevin McGurk of Nashville, Tennessee, Catherine Riess (McGurk) of South Florida along with son-in-law, Edward T. Riess, Mary M. McGurk of Gainesville, Florida, and Peter J. McGurk of Gainesville, Florida. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Katherine Riess and Edward Riess and by her great-grandchildren, Peyton and Riley. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Joseph McGurk of Glasgow, Scotland and by her grandson, Anthony, of Gainesville, Florida. A viewing will be held on September 16, 2021 between the hours of 5:00-7:00 PM at the Williams Thomas Funeral Home on Main Street in Gainesville, Florida. The funeral will be held on Friday September 17, 2021 at 2:30 PM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on 16th Avenue in Gainesville, Florida. Interment will be at Forest Meadows Memorial Cemetery located at 4100 N.W. 39th Avenue following the funeral Mass. Please visit her memorial page at www.williamsthomasfuneralhome.com. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION WILLIAMS-THOMAS DOWNTOWN 352-376-7556

Helen M.T. McGurk

October 4, 1937 - September 10, 2021