Bessie McGaughy

Bessie C. McGaughy, 105 of New Windsor, Illinois passed away Thursday, February 6, 2020 at 11:38 AM at Genesis Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf, Iowa.  Services are 10:00 AM Thursday, February 13, 2020 at the New Windsor Presbyterian Church. Burial is in the Viola Cemetery.  Visitation is 5-7 PM    Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at Peterson-Wallin-Knox Funeral Home in Alpha, Illinois.  Memorial contributions can be made to the New Windsor Presbyterian Church, New Windsor Public Library or Tri-County Ambulance.

Bessie was born on September 13, 1914 in Stephensport, Kentucky to Harmon and Lucy Lee Hawkins Blaine. She graduated from New Windsor High School in 1932 and attended Western Illinois University.  On June 12, 1937, she was united in marriage to Charles William “Bill” McGaughy in Stanford, Illinois.  He died in 1989.

She began her teaching career in 1934 at Black Oak School, north of Aledo and also taught in other country schools in Mercer County.  Bessie was later employed at the Matherville grade school and finally the Winola Junior High in New Windsor, retiring in 1972 after 32 1/2 years.

Bessie was a member of the New Windsor Presbyterian Church, including the Golden Circle. Bessie loved teaching, traveling, playing bridge, bowling for fifty-five years and enjoying the New Windsor Rodeo.  She was an avid Cubs fan.  Her sense of humor and positive nature kept her young.

She is survived by two children, Jim (Jeanine) McGaughy of Orion, Illinois; Jackie (Scott Culp) McGaughy of Lakewood, Colorado; three grandchildren: Bruce (Rita) McGaughy of Mercer Island, Washington; Michelle (GW) Fuhr of St. Charles, Illinois; Matthew (Jenny) Bornstein of Arlington, Virginia; seven great-grandchildren: Katarina McGaughy; Natalie McGaughy; Isabel McGaughy; Grant Fuhr; Julianna Fuhr; Grayson Fuhr and Elle Fuhr; several nieces and nephews.

Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, husband and sisters: Pauline McNeil, Mildred Bird and Mary Alice McAtee.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Wurzburger at Genesis, the caring staff at Brookstone of Aledo, where she made many friends over the past eight years, and more recently, thanks to the caregivers at Genesis Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.