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Veronica (McGuckin) Reno passed away on Friday, June 29, 2023 at the Jewish Healthcare where she was given the best care, compassion and love. Her husband of 43 years, Joseph A. Reno died in 2013.
Veronica was born February 13th 1923 in the district of Magherafelt of County Derry Northern Ireland. The daughter of the late Robert McGuckin and Mary Alice (O’Neil) McGuckin. As Veronica aged in her 90’s, her one wish was to celebrate her 100th birthday and she did. Veronica was one of eleven children. She is survived by the youngest of the family, Philippa Russell of Armagh of Northern Ireland and many nieces, great nieces, nephews and great nephews, who she was very proud of. Besides her parents, Veronica was predeceased by her siblings: Basil McGuckin, Rory McGuckin, Ethna Sykei, Desmond McGuckin, Dermot McGuckin, Dorothea Carey, Yvonne Toal, Tony McGuckin and Vivian McGuckin.
At a young age Veronica played an important and integral part in her family of many. Veronica, at about the age of 14, left school to stay at home to help her mother rear her younger siblings. She was a mother to them. The siblings loved her for being there. Later she went back to study. Veronica completed her Nursing and Midwifery training in 1955 at the Mid Ulster Hospital in Northern Ireland. As a nursing student, the Hospital Management Committee presented her the award for “Third Year all-around Nurse”. Thereafter, Veronica was employed by the Joint Nursing and Midwives Council and the Northern Ireland General Nursing Council, both for England and Wales.
Veronica immigrated to the United States in 1963 and was naturalized in June of 1972. Veronica continued her career as a nurse in the United States, registered in Florida and Virginia. Veronica was the Director and Supervisor of Nurses at Doctors Hospital, Coral Gables, National Orthopedic Hospital, Westminster Oaks and Heritage Healthcare Center. At the end of her nursing career, she focused on geriatric care. Veronica retired in 2005. Her and Joe moved to Jacksonville Florida in 1992 and then settled in Shrewsbury MA 2006.
Veronica was a devote Catholic. She was very much aware and gave of herself always to help those less fortunate than her. Many years she “adopted” 3 Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco to provide financial support. While in England she was a member of the Child of Mary Sodality. She volunteered with the American Red Cross, was a Red Cross Nurse, authorized to teach Home Nursing, in Brevard County Florida Chapter, and recognized by the Brevard County Red Cross Chapter for providing assistance to disaster victims during Hurricane Kate.
Veronica was always a lady in words and her appearance. Veronica loved the United States but never lost her love for Ireland and her Irish heritage. She loved Irish music and dancing. She lived a long rich life.
The family wants to thank the people at the Jewish Healthcare 5th Floor, for the care they gave Veronica, especially Evonne who always provided Veronica that special care and orchestrated Veronica’s 100th birthday celebration.
A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 21, at 10 AM, at Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant Street, Worcester MA. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Staff Holiday Fund, Jewish Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury Street, Worcester MA 01609. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Fazio Funeral Home, directors Louis M Fazio Jr. and Louis Fazio III.
www.faziofuneralhome.com