Mary Elizabeth McGowan, age 94 of Chesterton, Indiana, formerly of Manhattan, Illinois, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026 at StoryPoint Senior Living in Chesterton. Survived by her loving daughters Colleen (Tom) McParland of Elmwood, IL and Bridget (Kevin) McBride of Valparaiso, IN, grandchildren Mary, Thomas, Patrick, Maggie, Maeve, and Jack McParland, Meghan, Mary, and Molly McBride, sisters Joan Tulley and Sharon Erdman, sister-in-law Grace Russell, and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her dear husband Richard McGowan, parents Francis and Mary (nee Martin) Haley, brothers Frank, Tom, and Bill Haley, brothers-in-law Donald Tulley, Thomas Erdman, and Tom Russell, and sisters-in-law Mary (late Raymond) Keigher, Verneta (late Jim) Miller, Audrey (late Hank) Juban.

Mary was raised on the farm and liked to tell stories of walking to the one room schoolhouse for a time with several of her siblings. Mary graduated from St. Francis Academy in Joliet. She spent time working at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, formerly known as the Joliet Arsenal, before moving on to obtain her nursing diploma at St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee, IL. She began her career in Chicago before spending a year in San Diego with other fellow nurses she had befriended, then decided to move to Phoenix, AZ. While there, she worked at the first coronary care unit in Arizona where she made lifelong friends with other nurses on the unit. Mary was an exceptional nurse and loved caring for her patients. She loved to travel and even worked in Anchorage, Alaska for a year. Mary was always up for a new adventure and learned to ski, swim, and scuba dive. In 1970, she married Richard McGowan at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona and returned to his family farm in Manteno, IL where she was close to her own family as well. Together they ran the family grain farm and raised their two daughters.

She was incredibly devoted to her family, whom she deeply cherished. She made delicious meals and was talented at sewing and crafts, often sharing her creations with family. She adored get-togethers with her siblings and cousins through the years, and she enjoyed every moment spent with her grandchildren. She took pride in her Irish heritage and held fond memories of a favorite trip she took to Ireland. Mary treasured her Catholic faith and spent many years as a parishioner at St. Patrick Catholic Church of Wilton Center as well as St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manhattan, IL. She enjoyed socializing with her parishioner friends, sharing in coffee groups following Mass. She was known and will be remembered for her kind and caring nature. A beloved mother, grandma, sister, aunt, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Per Mary's wishes, a closed casket Prayer Service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, immediately followed by procession to St. Patrick Catholic Church, Wilton Center, IL for Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. Interment Mt. St. Patrick Cemetery, Wilton Center, Wilton Twp., IL. Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com.