Susan A. McGowan of Mattapoisett passed away peacefully Friday March 16, 2018 at St. Luke’s Hospital. She endured her illness privately and bravely. Born in New Bedford to Charles J. and Anna (Smith) McGowan, Susan graduated from Holy Family High School in New Bedford and Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island, where she graduated with a B.S. in Nursing.
Predeceased by her parents and her brother Paul E. McGowan, Susan leaves behind two sons, Brian Scott McGowan and Christopher John Bible McGowan, both of Mattapoisett, and a beautiful granddaughter, Kaydence. In addition, Susan leaves her siblings, Anne Boucher of Chelmsford, Charles J. McGowan of Mattapoisett and Venice, FL, Robert J. McGowan of Mattapoisett and Venice, FL, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and several sailboats.
Susan’s nursing career included work at the Brockton VA and St. Luke’s Hospital. She was a Psychiatric Nursing Instructor in the St. Luke’s School of Nursing; she was also a staff nurse in their Emergency Department and other medical units.
Susan loved Mattapoisett, especially Pico Beach, where she spent summers as a child. She was an avid, skilled, and accomplished sailor, having raced sailboats in the region for about 70 years. She was active in area regattas, a long time member of the Mattapoisett Yacht Club, and a stickler for the rules of racing.
Also a gifted craft artist, Susan made both Nantucket and Mattapoisett baskets; she crafted needlepoint, created amazing quilts, hand-sewed humorous and elaborate dolls, and refinished furniture.
Blessed with the gift of faith, Susan was deeply involved in her parish, St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett, where she was a Eucharistic minister and active in the Cursillo movement.
Quirky, witty, unpretentious, and unconventional, Susan will be deeply missed by those fortunate enough to know her well. Generous with her time and expertise, Susan was always willing to help a person in need.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday March 24, 2018 at 9 am at St. Anthony’s Church, followed by burial in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Friday March 23, 2018 from 4-7 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. Those who wish to donate in her memory may do so to Saint Anthony’s Church of Mattapoisett or Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
