Alvera McGuirk

Alvera Ericson Chung McGuirk was born in Chicago Illinois on January 15th 1944. Her parents were Ruth Adamson Ericson and Rev. Alvern R. Ericson. Her parents were officers in the Salvation Army and Alvera was active in the Salvation Army band. Her family annually vacationed throughout the United States creating a lifetime interest in traveling. 

Over her lifetime she visited 49 states and there were plans afoot to visit Alaska too. She attended Hay Elementary School in Chicago and Roosevelt High School in Chicago. She then attended North Park College of Music, earning a degree in music education. She taught music education in Chicago area schools until music education and art appreciation programs were cut from the budgets of most schools.

While in college she married Dong Lo (Don) Chung, and had two children, Desiree Ruth Chung (West) and Anthony Chung. Don and Alvera later divorced. She raised her children as a single mother. Her father died in a car accident in 1981. After her father died, Alvera moved with her mother and children to Portland. In Portland she worked as a sales representative and a model, selling fine jewelry and later designer clothing. She was a member of First Covenant Church for over 3 decades.

In Portland she met and married Robert (Bob) McGuirk. They first met as volunteers for a Portland Art Museum Ancient Egypt exhibit. After marriage and throughout her retirement, Alvera assisted Bob in his consulting practice that included fundraising in Washington D.C. and attending public hearings primarily in Washington State. They enjoyed traveling together to various places including Hawaii, Europe, Mexico and visiting family in New York, New Mexico, and Arizona as well as her hometown of Chicago.

Alvera is preceded in death by her brother Rodger and her sister-in-law Betty, as well as her parents Ruth and Alvern. She is survived by her husband Bob, her daughter Desiree, her son Tony and his partner Katrina, her brother Albert and his husband Patrick, as well as stepchildren and step-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephew. Alvera was much loved by all who knew her. she will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to My Father’s House (familyshelter.org), non-profit family shelter ministry addressing the needs of homeless families in Multnomah County, Oregon.