“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.”~J. K Rowling
Mary Anne (Shaw) McGowan passed away peacefully on April 11, 2024 and crossed over into the arms of her beloved, Mike who has been awaiting her arrival on the other side. The knowledge of their reunion is sweet solace amidst the ache of watching Mary depart this physical plane.
Mary was born on May 23rd, 1946 to James & Alvina Shaw and along with her three siblings Jim, Melodie & Sally they all settled in Middletown, Rhode Island, where Mary would grow from a pensive little girl into a bright, kind, beautiful, loving and giving woman.
As a child she was shy yet strong willed. As a teen, she beach-babed her way into the hearts of many and after graduating from Middletown High School she set her sights on a career in nursing. She attended St. Anne’s School of Nursing in Fall River, MA.
Summers in were spent working at Frosty Freeze and soaking up the sun at the local beaches. It was as a young woman at 2nd beach in Middletown, that she caught the eye of a handsome, strapping young man who would soon become her one and only true love and father of her two children Michael and Cara. Mary and Mike had that rare kind love peppered with their share of hard times to be sure but they led a full and happy life.
Mary was amazing at striking a balance between quality time with friends and family, fulfilling her passion as a nurse at a local family practice, attending her clubs and pursuing her hobbies. She was an avid lover of reading and bookclub nights, entertaining in her Martha-esque way for the holidays and antiquing her heart out. She loved a good bargain and refinishing projects and eventually sold her wares at the Eagles Nest in Portsmouth RI. She relished gardening and her’s bloomed beautifully year after year under the magic of her green thumb. She rejoiced in music, belting out many a tune in many a genre. She and Mike enjoyed traveling in their later years and she wielded her camera along the way using her skills to beautifully capture and commemorate each trip.
Her time to travel to the other side has come and though she will be missed so incredibly by those she leaves behind her beautiful memory will live on in all the many lives she touched.
Mary is survived by her son Michael, his wife Justine & granddaughter Trixie of Newport, and her daughter Cara, her partner Eddie & grandson Oscar of Portsmouth.
Calling Hours will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 from 4:00pm-7:00pm at Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth.
A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 10:00am in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI.
Burial will be private.
Donations can be made in Mary’s memory to Visiting Nurse Service, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.