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Ann McGOWAN Obituary
Passed away at home, surrounded by her family, on the evening of November 16th, 2013 after a three-year battle with cancer. She was born to the late Arthur and Ruby Dilley on April 14th, 1941. In 1957 she moved to Montreal, Quebec and studied education at McGill University. In 1961, she married the late James Alexander McGowan, beloved husband of over fifty years. She devoted her life to raising her children and teaching in Montreal (Quebec), London (England), the Eastern Townships (Quebec), and Tokyo (Japan). She also pursued a brief modelling career in Japan before moving to Salcombe (Devon) to care for her mother. Ann is survived by her children; Heather (Luc), Jackie (Louis), Seth (Sarah), Jesse (Hidemi) and Philippa (Stephen), as well as her grandchildren Nathaniel, Jacob, Benjamin, Hannah and Sadie, her sisters, Janet and Linda, nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends. She will be deeply missed, her generosity and love never forgotten. As per her final wishes, a small ceremony for immediate family will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pattaya Orphanage in Thailand.
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44 Entries
Virginie
September 11, 2016
Stumbled upon this and am sorry to hear you've gone. I remember your face; I remember your voice. It has been so long ago. I hope you ad a good life.
August 29, 2014
Ann, what a sad way to re-connect with you. You had a wonderful life. Say hi to Jim and the beautiful dogs I knew in London.
Madeline Woolfenden
December 3, 2013
Dear Friend you are missed. Glad we had the chance to talk this summer. Now I guess it is time for you to rest. X
Frank Harris
December 1, 2013
I am very sad to hear the news. I last corresponded with Ann in 2009. I didn't know she was ill. She and Jim were both great people to know and work with. I was in the same department as Ann at ISSH for five years. My desk was next to hers. The photo in the gallery brings back a lot of good memories. Ann was always helpful and full of life. I don't remember ever having an argument with her. I once asked in meeting if anyone had anything they wanted bring up. Ann said, "Yeah, my lunch!" When I left, she had my bike and pet fish. She wanted them to give to somebody else. Most of the things Ann did were for somebody else.
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November 25, 2013
Our most heart-felt sympathy to all the family.
She was the most committed person to her family.
We will all miss her so much.
Dana Wessel
November 23, 2013
It has been many years since I last saw Ann and her family. She was indeed an especially lovely person, always cheerful, encouraging and generous. Heather, Jackie, Seth, Jesse and Philippa, I am very sorry for your loss.
Philippa McGowan
November 22, 2013
Philippa McGowan
November 22, 2013
Philippa McGowan
November 22, 2013
Philippa McGowan
November 22, 2013
Philippa McGowan
November 22, 2013
Philippa McGowan
November 22, 2013
Philippa McGowan
November 22, 2013
Philippa McGowan
November 22, 2013
Philippa McGowan
November 22, 2013
Philippa McGowan
November 22, 2013
Franck
November 21, 2013
all my sympathies to the McGowan family.
Consuelo & Constanza Arcos Suárez
November 21, 2013
We regret to hear that Mrs McGowan has passed away. She was a great and loving teacher to both my sister and I. We'll keep her in our prayers and offer you our sincere condolences.
Joanne Northup
November 21, 2013
It's with great sadness to hear of Ann's passing. She was a kind and loving teacher for our daughter at ISSH, Tokyo and she will always be remembered as a wonderful teacher. Our deepest condolences to her family.
The Clappin Family
November 21, 2013
Our deepest condolences to the McGowan family.
Anne-Marie Wollaert
November 21, 2013
Mrs McGowan was a wonderful teacher to our daughter. One day she came home, all upset, telling us how sad it was that Mrs McGowan had lost her husband. Both were very loving, caring people. After her long battle, Ann is with her husband now and she is in a happy place. We are sorry for your loss and send you our sincere condolences.
Cathy Berg (Hasegawa)
November 21, 2013
My Condolences to Ann's family.
I will always remember Ann as a patient and kind tutor and teacher, and a friend with a great sense of humor. Her wisdom and laughter were always cherished.
She will be missed.
Silvia and Carlos Kusaka
November 21, 2013
We will always have fond memories of Ms.McGowan and our time at ISSH.
Peggy Hernandez
November 21, 2013
Sorry to hear of Mrs. McGowan's passing. My daughter loved her ISSH middle school English class. She said she was introduced to a lot of great books. I just laughed at the "modeling" mention and recalled Mrs. McGowan's face plastered all over Bagel & Bagel shops in Hiroo and other parts of Tokyo, happily eating a bagel. That's the way we'll remember her: unconventional and happy.
dante fazzina
November 21, 2013
Good by ANN, say hello to James from me. R.I.P.
Christa Fogarty
November 21, 2013
My deepest condolences to the McGowan family. May she rest in peace.
Calvin Taylor
November 21, 2013
Jackie our deepest sympathies to you and your family. The Taylor family.
Edwina Gibbs
November 21, 2013
Ann was kind enough to take on an English reading and writing class organised by parents for bicultural kids in Tokyo. The group may never have gotten off the ground without Ann and so many children have benefited from it. She had a great way with the children and my daughter, who started when she was four, thought she was wonderful. That my daughter is still attending these classes and that I can happily say she is biliterate and bicultural owes much to the fantastic start she had with Ann.
Mariette Rees Magielsen
November 21, 2013
We will remember Ann as a lovely colleague and teacher. Our deepest condolences .
Mariette, Gareth, Connie and Josephine Rees
Diny Naus
November 21, 2013
I was a teacher at ISSH after she left, but everyone was always full of good memories and love for Ann and commented on her road trips on motorbikes - I'm sorry for your loss
Héléne Fabre
November 21, 2013
Anne will always have a special "corner" in my heart. ... as a friend in Tokyo and also as a colleague at ISSH in Tokyo. I remember her laugh, her generosity, her sense of humour and her love for her family. Merci Ann.
November 21, 2013
RIP Ann. You were a great colleague at ISS Tokyo.
B. Spore
Sarah Ofstedal Ramer
November 21, 2013
I always think of the challenge you gave us in 6th grade with our reading requirements. Still one of my favorite years of reading. Thank you!
November 20, 2013
Ann McGowan was a wonderful teacher to my daughter at ISSH.
I am so sorry at the loss to her family but may they feel joy at how much Ann was loved.
Debbie Levy
November 20, 2013
My sincerest condolences to the whole family during this sad & difficult time.May you find comfort in all the fond memories you share.
Kelly (nee White)
November 20, 2013
Rest in peace, Mrs McGowan. Thank you for helping me develop a passion for history.
November 20, 2013
My deepest condolences to you and your family Jackie
Lyn Sato
November 20, 2013
Ann was very well loved at our school, International Secondary School, and an inspiring and patient co-worker. I love and miss her.
Lori Goyette
November 20, 2013
The memory that I love is when she came back to Canada for the summer from japan. mrs McGowan was excitedly explaining to me how she was chosen to be a model by a photographer because she was so beautiful. It seemed like she did not beleave the photographer. I looked her in the eyes and said," you are very beautiful, you have always been beautiful". she smiled at me and I have always remembered that moment. She is a very kind soul who shall be greatly missed......
Jon Keeling
November 20, 2013
One of the nicest people I knew, Ann helped so many people in so many ways. I will always remember how Jim and Ann opened their home to me and others in our Karate group in Tokyo over the years. Thank you, Ann, for being such a wonderful person, raising great kids and being a role-model for the rest of us. You will definitely be missed by many.
Liz Deighton
November 20, 2013
We will always remember Aunty Ann and our heart felt sympathies are with you all.
Phyllis and Bill Stubina
November 20, 2013
We are thinking of you during these difficult times. You are in our hearts and prayers. We want to offer our deepest condolences to the entire family.
Ivy Maeda
November 20, 2013
As her teacher, Ann McGowan changed my daughter's life, giving her more confidence and empowering her to do more for her community and herself. She was a fabulous teacher and a fabulous person. My sincerest condolences to her family who have suffered the loss of a very great woman.
Dana (Whittall)Sharkey
November 20, 2013
Very sorry to hear of your loss. It was a long fight for her and I hope she is resting now! My thoughts are with you!
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