Former Falls Church Resident Vera McGowan Dies at Age 85

Vera Loretta McGowan, 85, died on November 30, in Sierra Vista, Arizona, following complications of a stroke. Born, May 11, 1919, in Yonkers, New York, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Julia Tobin-Fitzgerald. Mrs. McGowan was a resident of Falls Church for 15 years. She was the wife of the late Joseph T. McGowan, attorney at law. She was a parishioner of St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church.

She McGowan graduated valedictorian of her Yonkers high school class, received her bachelor of arts degree from Mount Saint Vincent College and she achieved a masters degree in education.

She had a multifaceted career, beginning with working at Union Carbide in New York City. As an extensive educator, she taught business at Katherine Gibbs in Bridgeport; Western Junior High School and Saint Mary's School in Greenwich; parochial school in Montauk, Long Island; Bridgehampton High School; and on-going private school tutoring. In her later years, she sold real estate as a Realtor in Long Island and Falls Church. She served as president of the Cherry Hill Board of Directors.

She is survived by two daughters, Lynne Wheat of Greenwich and Mary McGowan of Virginia, two sons, Mark J. McGowan of Sierra Vista, Arizona and Peter McGowan of Darien; a brother Thomas Fitzgerald, Jr., of California; and six grandchildren. A memorial service will be celebrated at 10am, Saturday, December 11 at St. Michael's Church in Greenwich, CT. Burial will be private. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the American Stroke Association www.strokeassociation.org. American Stroke Assoc., 2550 Route 1, North Brunswick, NJ 08902