Mary Ardith Jarrard McGuire, age 85, of Washington died Sunday, May 30, 2010 at the Washington County Hospital after failing in health the past two months.

Celebration of life services will be held 10:30 am Thursday, June 3, 2010 at the Jones Eden Funeral Home in Washington with Pastor Don Collings officiating. Visitation will begin noon Wednesday at the Jones Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 Wednesday evening. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa. Memorials have been established for Prairie Flower Baptist Church or the Halcyon House Good Samaritan Fund. Online condolences may be sent for Ardith's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Ardith was born February 23, 1925 in Washington, Iowa the daughter of Carl E. and Myrtle (McBeth) Jarrard. She graduated from Washington High School and attended Washington Jr. College. On February 27, 1947, Ardith was united in marriage to George W. McGuire.

She was a life resident of Washington County. Ardith and George farmed north of Washington until 1974 when they moved to Washington. She taught school in her earlier years, prior to starting her family. Ardith was a member of Prairie Flower Baptist Church and enjoyed gardening, painting and crocheting. She was a member of the Fleur De Lis Neighborhood Club.

Ardith is survived by her son Mike McGuire and wife Vickie of Washington, Iowa; daughter Pam Kane and husband Bill of Washington, Iowa; daughter Kathy Coakley and husband Jon of Washington, Iowa; daughter Marcia Herrick and friend Doug Burgoni of Bakersfield, California; eleven grandchildren , three step grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and eleven step great grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother Stanley Jarrard of Hot Springs, Arkansas and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1974, one daughter - Patricia Fisher, grandson - Scott Fisher, great granddaughter - Hope Chalupa, and two sisters Ruth Thompson and Maxine Novy.