Dolores McGowan

McGowan, Dolores McGregor 87, long-time resident of Northbrook, IL died peacefully surrounded by her children on Sunday, August 11, 2013 at Glenbrook Hospital. Beloved wife of the late John Richard McGowan of Amboy, IL; loving mother of Ann, Carol, John and Jeffrey; mother-in-law of Janet and Calvin; cherished grandmother of Paul, Kate and Jeff; and dear sister of Georgianna McGregor, BVM. Born in Evanston, IL in 1926, Dolores grew up in Rogers Park and received a Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University and worked as a medical technologist. She married J. Richard McGowan in 1951, an international businessman who shared her love of culture and people. Global business opportunities led them to reside in Argentina and Mexico before settling in Northbrook, IL. Her love of the arts, music and international travel was passed on to her children and grandchildren who are now film producers, theater directors, dancers, educators and frequent international travelers. Dolores gave when others weren't looking as exemplified by her personal service and support of many charities including Auto Angels, Little Mexico, Food Drive for the Poor, Youth with a Mission and Howard Area Community Center. For over 40 years, she led a lively discussion club of women from Our Lady of the Brook Parish. At the age of 50 years, she received her Master's degree in Creation Centered Spirituality from Mundelein College. Her writings and poetry reflect a rich spiritual legacy as illustrated by this quote from her poem entitled Look to the Water: "So take life in all its seasons of warm abundance and the stillness of winter and do not always desire the blooms of May. This is the pattern of life. That even in this depth of winter there is God and beauty and the ever present promise of His everlasting love." She will be greatly missed here on earth but has been warmly welcomed by the presence of the Lord in heaven. A memorial visitation will be held Friday, August 16, 2013 at 10 am followed by the memorial mass at 11 am at Addolorata Villa's Main Chapel, 555 McHenry Rd., Wheeling, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Little Mexico, Inc., 111 N. Wolf Rd., Wheeling, IL 60090-2920 or to Youth with a Mission, YWAM Accounting, P.O. Box 3000, Garden Valley, TX 75711-3000 and please indicate on the memo line "designate to Calvin and Carol Conkey". For information contact: mcgowanmemorial@gmail.com or call Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home at (847) 831-4260 or www.kelleyspaldingfuneralhome.com