IN MEMORIAM: Mary Jane McGowan;
Retired Teacher, Active In Community
ONEONTA – Mary Jane McGowan, a former teacher and active community member, passed away Jan. 23, 2017. She was age 90 years and eight months.
She was born in May 1926 in Oneonta, the daughter of Percy and Edna Hazard Smallin. She attended Bugbee School from kindergarten through 8th grade, graduating in 1944 from Oneonta High School, where she delivered the graduation speech.
During high school, Mary Jane was very active in clubs and extracurricular activities and was a drum majorette. She met Dean W. McGowan Jr. the love of her life, freshman year. Dean and Mary Jane courted throughout high school, college and his World War II military service, marrying in 1951 after an 11-year courtship and engagement.
At SUNY Albany, Mary Jane took a double major in social studies and biology and double minor in English and music. She graduated in 1948 with a B.A. with honors. She furthered her studies at SUNY Oneonta, receiving an M.S., magna cum laude, in 1956, with additional hours in psychology and childhood training. She was also a member of Alpha of Phi Delta sororities.
She taught for 15 years, 1948-51, Grades 9-12, Unadilla; 1954-59, Grade 3, Roessleville Elementary, Colonie, 1970-75, Grades 3-4 in observation room and team-teaching program, Bugbee School, Oneonta, and substituted in city schools.
Mary Jane spent two years in Key West, Fla., (1951-53), where her husband was assigned with General Electric, and had two sons, Jeffrey and Scott, born in 1960 and 1962 respectively while living in North Syracuse.
Mary Jane and her family returned to Oneonta in August 1968 with her husband’s career move.
Because of her love and experience in floral work, she became manager of Coddington’s Florist Pyramid Mall location for many years after she stopped teaching.
Mary Jane was an active member in many organizations. She was the first baby baptized in the current church building that is now the First United Methodist Church of Oneonta and was an active participant from early childhood through adult life participating in youth groups, choir, Bible study and disciple group. She was a 47-year member of the DAR, a member of the Oneonta Federated Garden Club and the American Legion Post 259 Ladies’ Auxiliary, and a life member of the Oneonta Businesswomen’s club. Also, the county Numismatics Association (she shared interest in coin collecting with husband), the Greater Oneonta Historical Society and the Center for Continuing Adult Learning.
Mary Jane had many interests and achievements, the most important love of her life was her husband Dean and their two sons and two grandchildren. She was known for wearing hats for all occasions, loving care of animals, cooking and baking, gardening, artistic floral arrangements wreathes and displays, writing poems, creative arts, knitting sewing and quilting having created two quilts by hand. Following in her mother’s footsteps she took up both oil and water color painting and created many paintings for family and friends. She took beginner and advanced paining classes as she advanced this passion.
Mary Jane loved the out of doors, nature and camping. Whether in a tent, their small camper or later in life with husband in their conversion van she researched and found exciting camping locations and adventures for the family. Summer vacations were a special time for Mary Jane to plan and share with the family. In retirement, she and Dean traveled throughout the USA, England, Scotland and other historical places. One of her favorite vacation spots was her annual fall trips to Vermont with Dean for the fall foliage.
Mary Jane loved antiques and amassed a 150-bell bell collection. From early days in the 1960s in Syracuse to Oneonta, she studied, taught and played Bridge, teaching many friends.
She loved baseball and attended many Oneonta Yankees games and watched major leagues. She also took an interest in supporting her husband and sons in their Boy Scouting activities and could always be counted on to sew on merit badges, rank badges, camporee and other patches.
Mary Jane loved entertaining welcoming many into her home during the holidays and other times for dinners or social time. She encouraged her husband, children and grandchildren’s individuality with love and support. She was a caregiver for several family members always loving to give of herself and to help others.
Mary Jane and Dean celebrated 50 years of marriage in March 2001 with a special dinner with family and friends and a larger reception at the First United Methodist Church. They were married for 53 years before Dean’s passing in 2004.
In May 2016, Mary Jane celebrated her 90th birthday at a celebration at the American Legion with her family and many friends.
She was predeceased by her husband, her son Jeffrey McGowan, sister Ruth Smallin VanSchaick and Ruth’s Husband Carlton of Schenectady, three aunts, one uncle and her grandparents.
She is survived by Son Scott A. McGowan of Chicago; grandchildren Lindsey and Sean McGowan; three nephews Tom ( Pat) , Bob (Kathy) and Gary (Robin) VanSchaick and many grand- and grand-grand nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Jan. 26 at the First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Oneonta. The funeral service will begin at noon where she was baptized, married and celebrated her 50th anniversary. Mary Jane has indicated that she wishes to begin and end her life there.
Mary Jane will be interned next to her loving husband Dean on the family plot in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, designated for church pew cushions; St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (www.ASPCA.com/donate)
Online condolences may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are with Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.
