Eleanor Louise Rothermel McGuinness

Eleanor Louise Rothermel McGuinness, 92

Zellwood, FL - Eleanor Louise Rothermel McGuinness, 92, of Parway Road Zellwood, FL died Saturday, July 31, 2010, at Eddy Heritage House Nursing Center, Troy, NY.

Louise was the daughter of the late Joseph Alfred Rothermel and Sarah Rieser Balthaser Rothermel and wife of the late Richard Charles McGuinness. She was born in the Pennsylvania Dutch area of Pennsylvania in Hyde Park, Reading. She lived in the Reading area through her childhood including living at Franklin and Marshall College while her father was a physics, chemistry, and math professor there as well as tennis coach. Louise graduated from Muhlenburg Township High School where her mother taught German and general science. Louise obtained a scholarship to attend Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA. Louise excelled in academics and sports and played tennis, field hockey, and basketball. After graduating with her Bachelor's Degree in 1939, she moved to Philadelphia and taught high school physical education and coached mostly basketball, tennis, and field hockey. She taught at Woodbury High School in NJ and was later inducted into Woodbury's Hall of Fame for her many championship basketball teams.

After Louise married her husband, Richard in 1957, they moved to the Philadelphia suburbs and settled initially in Drexel Hill, and after the birth of their first and only child, moved to Springfield Pennsylvania where they remained for 26 years. Louise and her husband moved to Zellwood, Florida in 1986 but traveled back regularly to keep up with family and friends. More recently, Louise often visited her daughter and son-in-law in Latham NY and spent much of the last year of her life in the Capital Region of NY.

Louise was a homemaker for most of her married life and valued family (and honorary family) above all else. Louise was also a life-long sports, bridge, and gardening enthusiast. She and her family were avid tennis players and spent many happy hours over three+ decades at Idle Hour Tennis Club in Drexel Hill, PA. While she won well over 100 trophies for tennis; some of her favorites are from husband and wife and mother daughter tournaments. She was active in the Middle States Tennis Association running numerous tournaments as well as participating in many. Louise and her husband moved to Zellwood Florida in 1986. She continued playing tennis well into her 70s through Golden Games and Vintage Tennis events. In later years, her sports focus moved more to swimming and she won over 100 medals from Senior Olympics Swimming events. She also taught senior aerobics and aquacise well into her 80s. When not playing or teaching sports or nurturing family, Louise pursued her passions of gardening and bridge. No matter whether the activity was sports, bridge, or fellowship, she thrived on social interaction and is well known for her smile and love of people. She thrived on making a difference in people's lives and all who knew her felt her joy when she was connecting with people.

She is survived by her loving family including daughter Deborah Louise McGuinness (James Benedict) of Latham, NY, brother Joseph Rothermel of Corning NY, her grandchildren Jamie Benedict and Jason Benedict of Tempe Arizona, great grandchild Alexis and her 5 nieces Pamela Cowan (Mark) of Columbia Cross Roads PA, Carol Mann (Hank) of Stonington CT, Diana Kemp (Rick) of Virginia Beach, VA, Beverly Rothermel (Blaise Ferrandino) of Bedford TX, and Faith Rothermel of Belton,Texas. She was predeceased by her husband, Richard (Dick) McGuinness and sister, Helen Jane Rothermel.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday August 11, 2010 at the Gardner Earl Memorial Chapel Oakwood Avenue, Troy with Rev. Andrew Russ , Chaplain of The Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, officiating. Calling hours at 1pm; service at 2pm. A future gathering will occur in Zellwood, Fla.

Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family is honoring Louise's lifelong dedication to and love of education by establishing a memorial fund at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Contributions may be made at http://alumni.rpi.edu/giving noting that the gift is in memory of Eleanor Louise Rothermel McGuinness or checks in her memory may be sent to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Gifts Processing Center, PO Box 3164, Boston, MA 02241-3164.

The family is collecting memories to be included in Louise's forthcoming web page.

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