Mary-Ellen Mcgowan

Mary-Ellen (Rhind) McGowan, 81, a lifelong North Attleboro resident, died on Sunday, October 5, 2014 at the Madonna Manor Nursing Home in North Attleboro where she had been a resident for the past 9 years. She was the former spouse of John F. McGowan of Chelsea, Massachusetts. Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts on January 26, 1933, she was a daughter of the late John H. and Ruth Lee (Goff) Rhind. Raised and educated in North Attleboro, Mrs. McGowan was a 1951 graduate of North Attleboro High School. In earlier years, Mrs. McGowan was a "soda fountain girl" for local drugstores including Reeve's Drug Store. She had also previously been employed by Fuller Box Company for nine years and retired in 1981 from Madonna Manor after working two years as a domestic engineer. She was a lifelong communicant of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in North Attleboro. Known for her athletic abilities in high school, she was voted Best Female Athlete her senior year; she was also an avid swimmer. She enjoyed watching sports, especially football and golf. Mrs. McGowan was a swimming teacher for the Town of North Attleboro having worked at the World War II Memorial Pool for more than 20 years. In previous years, she was also associated with the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. in North Attleboro at Camp Shady Pines where her mother was the Girl Scout Director for over 50 years; and the North Attleboro Drum and Bugle Corps. In addition to her former husband, she leaves her children: William Francis McGowan and his wife, Betsy (Blydenburgh) McGowan of Brighton; Timothy Michael Patrick McGowan and his wife, Susan A. (Parker) McGowan, of North Attleboro; and Nancy Lee McGowan of North Attleboro; a son-in-law: David Mason of Swanzey, New Hampshire, husband of Mrs. McGowan's late daughter, Colleen Ann (McGowan) Mason who died on April 9, 2012; her grandchildren: Ryan P. McGowan and his wife Jennifer; Justin M. McGowan; Patrick P. McGowan and his wife Ashley; Kylie A. Mason, Maura L. Mason; her two great grandchildren: Michaela Colleen McGowan and Andrew William McGowan; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and dear friends. She was predeceased by her siblings: Priscilla Osterholm, Nancy Lee Parks and John Hatch Rhind. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Thursday, October 9, 2014 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right, mile on the left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. A Funeral Service will immediately follow visitation at 7:00 PM in the "Memorial Chapel" with the Rev. Richard D. Wilson, Pastor, St. John the Evangelist Church, Attleboro, officiating. Burial will be private in Mount Hope Cemetery and Arboretum, North Attleboro. Children's room is available during the visitation and the funeral service. Please omit flowers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Madonna Manor, 85 North Washington Street, North Attleboro, MA 02760. For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200