Maureen E. McGowan, 78, Waterford, died unexpectedly, but peacefully in her home on May 30, 2015. She was born May 15, 1937, in Milwaukee to the late Morris and Eleanor (Matthews) Urch. She graduated from Mercy High School in 1955, and moved to Waterford in 1972.
She enjoyed sharing her decades-long love for cooking with her family and friends whether it be cooking for them or teaching them to cook Chinese, pizza, Cajun, bread baking, or ‘Gifts from the Kitchen’ to name a few. After obtaining her Associate’s Degree in Food Service Management from Gateway Technical Institute at the age of 44, she started her own cooking school, ‘Maureen McGowan Culinary Arts,’ and ran it for 13 years with the support and partnership of husband Pat. Following her husband’s passing, Maureen spent 13 years as personal chef/caterer to both Archbishop Rembert Weakland and Archbishop Timothy Dolan.
She was a founding member of Waterford Lioness and held many positions, her favorite being Mrs. Santa for 25 years at the Lioness Breakfast with Santa. The breads she baked for their fundraising events were eagerly anticipated by all.
A fearless adventurer, she solo skydived and learned to downhill ski at age 34 and traveled the U.S. with Pat. In later years, she visited China with Moe, Europe, Turkey, and Egypt with sister-in-law Sandy Wilde, and Florida and Colorado with Lynn. She was a Red Hatter, enjoyed her Cousins’ Gourmet and Cooking School Gourmet groups, and stayed connected by email with friends often into the wee hours. She enjoyed visiting with and sending numerous greeting cards to her friends and family but also embraced Facebook to follow her family’s activities. Called a ‘professional friend’ by her daughter, Maureen proudly and lovingly maintained friendships with chums from grade school and high school and many since then.
Maureen was a great listener, a compassionate friend and optimistic cheerleader for her family and friends. She saw the good in everyone and made a point to thank those who helped her by name. She was always baking bread to give away, whether for a fundraiser or as a thank you for people who had made an impact on her life. Many are fortunate to have her recipes and the cooking tips she shared.
Survivors include her brother, Robert (Marlene) Urch; her children, Lynn (Steve) Vanderheyden, Michael McGowan, Patrick (Kelly) McGowan, Brian (Mary) Bauer, Maureen/Moe (John) Jepsen, and Bridget (Jim) Keal; her grandchildren, Daniel (Katie), John, Lauren (Stefan), Ryan (Heather), Ellen (fiancé Corey), Kayla, Erin, Annie (Dan), Josh, Katie, Andy, Joe, and Peter; her great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Dominic, Mackenzie, Gabrielle, and Audrey; cousins; nieces; nephews; in-laws and dear, dear friends who will also miss her.
She was preceded in death by Patrick, her beloved husband of nearly 26 years, and daughter, Susan.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Love Inc., Burlington, a charity she supported for many years that provides support for needy families in Western Racine County, http://www.love-inc.net.
Services will held at the Cotton Exchange Banquet Hall, 345 Hickory Hollow Road, Waterford, on Wednesday, June 3. Meet with the family from 10-11:45 a.m. Memorial service is at 11:45 a.m. Mealy Funeral Home, Waterford, is serving the family.
Well-wishers can visit www.mealyfuneralhome.com.
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