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BORN
1938
DIED
2023
Mary McGovern Obituary
September 3, 1938 November 28, 2023
Bakersfield The McGovern family announces the passing of their beloved Mother and Nana, Mary Theresa McGovern-Van Schaack. Mary passed away peacefully at her assisted-living facility on November 28, 2023, at the age of 85 with family by her side.
Mary was born in Grand-Mere, Quebec, Canada on September 3, 1938. At the age of 16 she moved to Westbury, New York before moving to California with her family. She became a U.S. citizen at the age of 20; and she married Bernard McGovern in 1958.
Mary served at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church for over 40 years as a religious education teacher, director of religious education, first grade teacher, and finally as a guidance counselor. At the age of 50, Mary went back to school where she went on to get her B.A. in Liberal Arts, her teaching credential, a master's degree as a reading specialist, and a degree in counseling at CSUB. She retired from OLPH in 2016. While not teaching, using her counseling skills, or spending time with her family, Mary enjoyed being at the beach and reading.
Mary was married to Bernard McGovern for 50 years before his passing in 2008. In 2011, she married Glen Van Schaack and was married for 10 years before his passing in 2021.
Mary is survived by her children: Donald McGovern (Heather), Theresa Amarante, MaryAnn Britton (Phill), and Michael McGovern (Laura). Her grandchildren: Kristy, John, Joey, Thomas, Alex, Jacqueline, Elizabeth, and great grandchild James. She is also survived by five of Glen's children: Stephen Van Schaack (Dale), Kathy Cronk (Greg), Elaine Thompson (John), Jeanne Tunnicliffe (Scott), and Joanie Haenelt (Bob).
Mary is predeceased by her parents Saul and Ruth Trepanier, her first husband Bernard McGovern, her second husband Glen Van Schaack, and by her grandchild Christopher McGovern.
During her 85 years of life, Mary shaped many young lives through her teaching at OLPH and her friendships with them into adulthood and touched hundreds of other people with her friendship and caring heart. A special thanks to the staff and residents at Magnolia Place Assisted Living for creating the community that she thrived in the last 22 months of her life.
A funeral mass service will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 11a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church on 124 Columbus Street. Then a graveside service at Greenlawn Cemetery on River Boulevard followed by a lunch reception and memories at our Lady of Perpetual Help Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Lady of Perpetual Elementary School in honor of her scholarship fund.
Mary McGovern Scholarship Fund - https://gobeyondmeasure.org/project/171.
www.bakersfield.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary McGovern
Jacqueline Amarante
December 17, 2023
I have many fond memories with my Nana. I think my earliest memory that I can recall was being in the bathroom at OPH and I was crying about something and Nana comes up to me and she says you know who loves you and I said well you do she said yes but you know who else loves you said my mom my brothers said yes but do you know who else loves you? I said I don´t know she says Jesus loves you . She was the first person to introduce me to Jesus.
I always look forward to the holidays as she hosted my brothers and I for baking parties at her house wearing make Nellies candies fudge cookies and we would decorate all the plates and then we would drive off to her 40th closest friends on her list and we go all over town and we do the ding dash door we always had a game who could run out of the porch and get into the car fastest. she also made it special for us because we did a secret Santa between the four of us, and we would have to shop for at least one other person and that was a tradition we carried on into our adult lives.
In the last year, I did the ding DoorDash run with her. It was just her and I and I was running the plates in to give to people. We had them in a basket of all the goodies in the backseat and I knocked them over and I remember she looked at me and she was like she couldn´t tell if she wanted to get upset with me. We´re just kind of laugh And I didn´t know if she was gonna be upset with me and then she just chose to not make a big deal about it.
Nana lived a life where she was faithful and prayed every night specially, in her later years, she would have a list of people she would pray for and care for .
You taught me to selflessly give to others.
Glory to our God, who gave us life beyond the grave
Theresa A Amarante
December 17, 2023
Our Mom, Mary was a combination of grace and iron. Grace because she always made sure our Catholic faith was central to our daily lives, iron because she preferred to have the last word on various matters. This carried through until her final hours on this earth! Her generous spirit was an example to us four children growing up. Though we were far from wealthy by any stretch, my mom was always sensitive to those less fortunate and would share food. clothing, company, or whatever she could to ease their suffering. Christmas was her favorite time of the year when she would deliver plates of goodies to everyone from family members to the humble trash collectors. Her kind (and sometimes stubborn spirit) will live on through her children and grandchildren for years to come! Her daughter Theresa
Rev. Michael Braun
December 8, 2023
If anyone deserves a special place in God´s good heaven, it is Mary McGovern-Van Schaack.
Mary volunteered as the Religious Education Director of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Bakersfield. May I repeat "volunteered". She initially refused a salary until she was told she could not continue as a volunteer.
She more than earned her recompense; she was the most generous contributor of her talent directing, recruiting and encouraging volunteers to teach children and a few parents along the way about their Christian Faith.
How many children made their First Communion under her guidance?
Then she decided she had more to offer. She attended college for the first time, receiving her degree, credential and Master´s degree to become the First Grade teacher at the Parish School.
Mary exemplified what we all believed a teacher should be. The students became first and they followed her every lesson with admiration and gratitude. Who can ever forget seeing her lead her students across the playground to lunch everyday? There was no dismissing them at her door to run off to lunch. She led them, as she did every moment in the classroom.
Mary did not limit her love to the classroom, it extended to her first husband, Bernard, their children, grandchildren, her second husband, Glenn, and his children as well.
Mary, walk proudly into heaven! You deserve your special place there.
Rev. Msgr. Michael Braun, Pastor Emeritus, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
Denise Ortiz
December 8, 2023
We´ll pray for God´s strength and comfort for your family in the coming days.
Love and prayers
Chris and Denise Ortiz
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Susan Moore
December 6, 2023
David and I am so sorry to learn that Mary passed away. She was a treasured part of our Magnolia Place church service each Sunday, with her friendly and caring manner. She will be dearly missed by us and the congregation.
Sincerely,
David and Susan Moore
Mindy White
December 6, 2023
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Cynthia Munn
December 6, 2023
God bless. Thanks for all the years you gave to OLPH. Great role model and friend
Cynthia Munn
John
December 5, 2023
Cor Iesu, lancea perforatum miserere nobis
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