Return to Results

A Teacher's Retirement Memoir Book belonging to Rose A. Maguire

Rose Ann Maguire (alternatively spelled in the memoir book as Mcguire, Macguire) was born on October 1, 1872 to John Maguire (1842-1900) and Julia Hall (1843-1927) in New York. She had at least one sibling, a sister, Margaret Maguire (1878-1924?). Her sister married William Henry Ayres (1877-1958) and had one child together, Margaret Gurney Ayres (1909-2004). Rose's niece, who often went by Gureny Ayres, lived and worked with Rose in Queens, NY. Rose herself never married. They both worked at at PS19 Corona, and after Rose retired in June of 1941, both moved to Asbury Park, NJ. The date and time of Rose's death is unknown.

Queens, NY: PS19, Jun-41. A memoir book presented to Rose A. Maguire, an elementary school teacher, upon her retirement in June 1951. She taught at a school located in Queens, NY called PS 19 Corona (now known as Marino Jeantet Elementary). The memoir book features over fifty pages of short notes, poetry, cards, photographs and art work from her fellow teachers. The first page of the album features a cut of out of a newspaper clipping describing her retirement party, and over the next few pages there are several photographs of PS 19, her fellow teachers, and her students, as well as two guest lists. The first is a list of the teachers who attended her retirement party, while the second list appears to be the signatures of the students in her class. The rest of the book is made up of entries from her fellow teachers. While there are a few retirement cards pasted in, the majority of the entries are hand written notes or original poems that are quite often accompanied by drawings or cutouts. The poems are quite humorous, for example one note is addressed to note to a 'soon to be ex-chalk pusher', while another states that while they weren't well acquainted, there was one place that they always met. That location is made clear with a colorful drawing of an occupied outhouse surrounded by flowers and bees. Several of the poems are pictographs, for example, in one poem where most of the last words (book, ruler, blackboard, etc) in a poetry line have been replaced with a picture. (See photographs). The notes often make reference to Rose retiring to a 'cottage by the sea', most likely located in Asbury Park, NJ. The album itself is bound together while string and features a small floral design on the coves. Measures 11 1/2" x 8 1/2". Below are a few excerpts from the entries.:

"Our Rose bloomed in a class room
Where many bright years were spent,
Guiding out City's children
On education bent."
-C. A. Kromann

"When next September rolls around,
It won't have that old familiar sound
Of alarm bell at 7, and dismissal bell at 3,
Of prattling children, busy as bees,
But you'll be making jollier plans
Than programs, duty, and coaching for "exams",
Your plans will all for leisure be,
And fun in your cottage by the sea."
- Mildred W. Plank, June 16, 1941

"No more pencils, no more books.
No more children's discouraging looks:
Papers, reports no longer du,
What a pleasure is awaiting you!"
- Antoinette Kess

To view the item, please click on the following link:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/a87aBafUWRu5W6XD9. Age toning. The covers have minor stains and missing surface litho.

Price: $275.00

Item #29001490