Rita McGowan

Rita Eileen McGowan, age 88, of Charlottesville, VA., passed peacefully into the Lord’s Arms on September 9, 2022, surrounded by her loving children. Born on July 3, 1934, in Queens, New York to the late Viola Mansfield McMurray and Thomas Joseph McMurray. She was married to her childhood sweetheart, the late John Anthony McGowan on June 30, 1956, in Queens, New York. A graduate of St Vincent’s Hospital Nursing School and Mary Baldwin College, Rita spent most of her nursing career at the former Kluge Children’s Rehabilitation Center in Charlottesville, VA. After retiring in 1998, Rita focused on serving in various volunteer activities including at the soup kitchen at the Holy Comforter Catholic Church and the Charlottesville Senior Center. She also became an avid amateur photographer and world traveler. Rita is survived by her three children, son Thomas John McGowan of Charlottesville, son Douglas Joseph McGowan and his wife Deborah Jo of Charlottesville, and daughter Jeanmarie McGowan of Montpelier, VA. Grandchildren Thomas John Patrick McGowan of Hancock Michigan, Caleb Joseph McGowan and wife Harper of Dallas Texas, Madison Hope and husband Robert Greene of Charlottesville, and Alexandra Grace McGowan of Charleston SC. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Patrick James McGowan of Port Jefferson Station, NY., her Aunt Margaret Mary Mansfield Von Bargen of Wayne, PA., as well as many special cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. The family will receive friends and family from 4-6pm on Thursday September 15, 2022, at Teague Funeral Home 2260 Ivy Road in Charlottesville. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 am on Friday September 16, 2022, at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church 401 Alderman Road in Charlottesville. Burial at Holly Memorial Gardens 3251 Seminole Trail in Charlottesville, will take place immediately following the Mass. Please join the family for a time of fellowship at the Forest Lakes Pavilion 1828 Pavilion Circle, Charlottesville, VA 22911, immediately after the interment. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Charlottesville SPCA or Ronald McDonald House of Charlottesville. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.teaguefuneralhome.com for the McGowan family.