Virginia McGowan

Virginia F. McGowan (Age 87)
of Mechanicsville, MD (formerly of Cheverly, MD)

Virginia F. McGowan, 87, died January 25, 2011 at Burnett-Calvert Hospice House. Her death was peaceful, she was in a state of grace, and her family was with her when she departed the world. She was born in Humphrey, NE on July 17, 1923. She attended Grand Island Business College and relocated from Nebraska to Washington in 1942 to work at the War Office. During this time she was an active member of the Sacred Heart Young Peoples Club, and an organist at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. She married in October 1946. While raising her family in Cheverly, MD, she served for 68 years as the organist at many churches in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. including St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Bernards and St Ambrose. She also shared her talent during this time by playing at a multitude of weddings, funerals and services throughout the Diocese. She was a past member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Cheverly, MD, and current member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Mechanicsville, MD. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph G. McGowan and two children, Joseph G. Jr. and Kathleen McGowan. Also preceding her in death were her parents John and Abilona Fuchs, brother Pat Fox, and daughter-in-law Mary Jo ("Tootie") McGowan. Survivors include her 11 children: Mary Allen, Patrick, Maureen Lockman (Wayne), J. Michael (Kim), Timothy (Diana), Colleen Costa (Steven), Kevin (Leslie), Christopher (Debbie), Charlene Mundey (Roger), Sean (Diane), and Bridget (Janice); 24 grandchildren: Daniel (Sarah) and Kevin Allen, Angela Benson (Mac); Eileen Cord (Duane), Brendan McGowan; Jennifer Cord (Mitch) and Joseph Lockman; Bryan, Sean, John and Kathleen McGowan, Katrina and John McGowan; Kathaleen Bowen (Buddy), Kristen and Michael Costa; Stephanie, David and Kyle McGowan; Patrick, Christopher and Meghan McGowan; Molly and Kelly McGowan, and 9 great-grandchildren.
Family and friends may call at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 3107 63rd Avenue, Cheverly, MD on Friday January 28 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday January 29, 2011 at 11:00 am at the church. Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Catholic Church, 203 South 5th Street, Humphrey, NE 68642. Arrangements made by Gasch's Funeral Home.