Bernadette L. Maguire

Bernadette L. Maguire of Philadelphia passed away peacefully on February 22, 2025 at the age of 89. Bernadette was born on October 19, 1935 to the late Peter Paul Maguire and the late Katherine (McGrath) Maguire. She was the youngest of ten siblings who predeceased her: Michael, Mary (Dougherty), Paul, Catherine, Margaret, John, Theresa (Andrews), Frederick and Lawrence. 

 Bernadette graduated from Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls in 1953. She was a commuter student at Immaculata College and received a B.A. in Mathematics and Minor in Physics in 1957. After graduation she joined the General Electric Company where she remained for more than 35 years. During her time at GE, she earned her M.S. in Electrical Engineering from University of Pennsylvania in 1966. 

 Bernadette was a trailblazer as a woman in the engineering field.” You have to understand, I’m the youngest of ten,” she said in a 2017 interview. “I have five older brothers. I was not intimidated by the men.” At GE, she moved from technician to engineer to engineering management. She worked on diverse technical problems, from defense projects such as developing the Apollo program heat shields, to developing methods for alternative energy production, just to name a few. Her lab, at 32nd and Chestnut, was recognized in 2007 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics as an Historic Aerospace Site. Bernadette published over 30 articles, as well as made numerous presentations at the national and international level. In 1985, she was named Manager of Engineering in GE’s Aerospace Group. In 1990, she became responsible for all business development activities in the same business area; a position which included both marketing leadership and direction of advanced technology programs. In 1993, Bernadette retired from GE. 

Bernadette was an active member in the Society of Women Engineers and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. She was passionate about women’s empowerment and advancement in STEM through education, sponsoring visits to industry, mentorship and scholarship funding. 

 Bernadette was a member of the Philadelphia Archdiocesan Board of Education, Little Flower’s Advisory Board and Endowment Campaign Committee, the Immaculata President’s Council, and Board of Trustees Emeritus at Immaculata University. Bernadette also provided personal support for the construction of the Physics Lab and the creation of a new Chemistry Lab at Immaculata in the late 1990s. When she was not at board meetings, she could be found at reunions, fundraising events, award galas and golf outings with her family, friends and fellow alumni. 

Bernadette was honored with several awards for her philanthropic commitment to Catholic education. In 2000, she was inducted into the Little Flower Hall of Fame. In 2007, she was awarded the Immaculata Alumni Medal for her active interest in and support of Immaculata, and tireless work to advance the University. In 2017, Bernadette was the recipient of the Mother M. Camilla Maloney Award for her leadership and vision of Immaculata’s future.

 Bernadette was an avid traveler. She loved to travel the world and share the gift of travel with her family and friends. She particularly enjoyed visiting her ancestral home of Ireland with her mother, siblings and nieces and nephews. She told stories of flying on “The Concorde” but her most enjoyable memories were made on the shores of New Jersey and the beaches of Delaware. 

Bernadette was a kind and caring aunt who shared her zest for life with her many nieces and nephews. You could often find her out to lunch with them drinking her coffee, having some laughs and enjoying each other’s company. She is survived by Peter Andrews, Katherine (Andrews) Clark, John Andrews, Bernadette (Andrews) Humphrey, Theresa (Andrews) Forlastro, Margaret Andrews, Walter Maguire, Francis Maguire, Laurence Maguire, Paul Maguire, Joan (Doughtery) Pierson, and their families.

 Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing beginning on Thursday, February 27th at 10am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am, at Our Mother of Consolation Church, 9 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., Phila., PA 19118. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. 

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Little Flower and Immaculata University.