Marguerite V. Walsh, counselor, mother of 12

Marguerite V. McSorley Walsh, 85, of Doylestown, a counselor and mother of 12, died Sunday, Oct. 21, of heart failure at home.

Mrs. Walsh grew up with 13 siblings in West Philadelphia and graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Girls. After earning a bachelor's degree from what is now Immaculata University in 1948, she was a truant officer for the School District of Philadelphia.

She married Daniel J. Walsh in 1951, and they raised a family in Drexel Hill. The couple met in Sea Isle City, N.J., where they were lifeguards.

In 1971, Mrs. Walsh earned a master's degree in counseling and human relations from Villanova University. She then worked for more than 20 years for Catholic Social Services in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. After retiring in 1992, she maintained a private counseling practice in Doylestown.

She and her husband often spoke at marriage encounters and parenting seminars, their daughter Mary Rita Siedzikowski said.

Mrs. Walsh was a member of the American Association of Counseling and Human Development.

She played basketball at Immaculata and later with her grandchildren, and was an avid tennis player.

For 25 years, she was a member of the Courage to Change Club, an adventure group whose activities included whitewater rafting and hot-air ballooning. She went kayaking in Florida when she was 75 and a few years ago went bodyboarding with her grandchildren at the Jersey Shore, Siedzikowski said.

Though she had slowed down recently, Mrs. Walsh still walked two miles every day, her daughter said.

In addition to her husband and daughter, Mrs. Walsh is survived by sons Daniel Jr., Patrick, Matthew, Bernard, Richard, Vincent, and Paul; daughters Maureen O'Hara, Monica, Margaret, and Denise; two sisters; and 21 grandchildren.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at Varcoe Thomas Funeral Home, 344 N. Main St., Doylestown. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, 235 E. State St., Doylestown. A celebration of life and sharing of memories will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Exhibit Hall, National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, 654 Ferry Rd., Doylestown.

Donations may be made to Catholic Peace Fellowship, 1429 N. 11th St., Philadelphia 19122.