Trudy McGuire

Trudy McGuire, 79, of Waco, passed away on March 5, 2024 surrounded by loved ones and friends after a long battle with her health. By her side was her husband of 58 years, Stephen.

Trudy was born in Greenville, Texas to Rev. William and Genevieve Crawford (nee Hammonds), and after a twelve year stint as an only child, Trudy was blessed with her baby sister, Gwendolyn, who would be her nearest and best friend for her entire life. Trudy always said that a baby sister was bittersweet because she worried she’d have to share her dolls, but turned out that a sister was much better than any doll she could’ve had.

Growing up, Trudy and her family moved several times owing to her father’s job as a Methodist minister. During their time serving the West community, she met the man she’d spend her life with: Stephen Gerald McGuire. He’d been serving as a youth director in the community; they were married by her father on May 28, 1966.

After they wed, Trudy and Stephen traveled because he was an officer in the U.S. Army. She remembered her times at different stations fondly and loved to tell the story about how, after moving to Fort Lewis, Washington, she diligently made the rounds of the other wives’ houses. This often included trying strange and new foods, like fish-eye stew. As good of a cook and cookbook collector as she was, she claimed that she never really wanted to try that dish again.

Trudy and Stephen moved to Waco after Stephen left the Army. There, they put down roots and had their sons, Ian and Kerry. While raising her boys, who were the center of her universe, she spent time being a room mom, a volunteer at all kinds of school and band events and a volunteer at Strecker Museum where she manned the desk. She and Stephen became very active members of what is now Cogdell Memorial United Methodist Church. She led and taught children’s Sunday school as well as the Crawford class for the adults. She was active in, and for a time was the chapter president of, the United Methodist Women and their ministry. She was also a longtime member of the church’s choir where she often performed as a soloist.

Once the boys were older, Trudy became a Research Clerk for the McLennan County Archives, where she was in her element. An avid antiques collector and amateur genealogist, she loved spending her time digging through the dusty tomes of the county. As part of her work generally included calling other counties and sometimes other states, she forged a network of friends and colleagues every time she made a phone call.

After retirement, Trudy spent her time looking after her husband, Stephen, visiting friends, and antiquing. She was thrilled to become “Big Momma” to her grandson, Keegan, after his debut in 2013. As Keegan got older, they became partners in crime, making fun snacks together and watching their favorite cartoons and movies after school. Big Momma couldn’t have been a more proud grandparent.

Trudy was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. William and Genevieve Crawford.

She is survived by her husband, Stephen; sons, Ian (Elizabeth) and Kerry (Deborah); grandson, Keegan; and sister, Gwendolyn (Don).

Other surviving family members include her brother-in-law, David; her sister-in-law, Ruth; along with several nieces, nephews, and many, many cherished cousins.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Caring Seniors of Waco, Texas for their excellent care and friendship in the preceding months.

Donations may be made on Trudy’s behalf to Cogdell Memorial United Methodist Church.