Mary McGowen Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved sister, Mary Shannon McGowen, on July 19, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. She was born in Alton, Illinois, on July 12, 1951, to Leonard and Betsy McGowen.
Shannon earned a Bachelor's Degree from Elmira College in New York and a Master's Degree from Northern Illinois University in Blind Rehabilitation. She spent her career helping the visually impaired in Miami, Florida, and Los Angeles, California. She retired from the Braille Institute in Los Angeles, where she worked as a Braille Transcriber. She most enjoyed transcribing children's books into Braille.
Shannon was a devoted follower of our Lord Jesus Christ. She attended Christian Alliance Churches in South Florida and Northridge, California.
She was preceded in death by her twin sister, Mary Susan McGowen, who passed away in 1951. Shannon is survived by her siblings, Betsy McGowen, Kelly McGowen, Kevin McGowen, and Diane McGowen (sister-in-law), as well as her nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A graveside service will be held 10am on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Upper Alton Cemetery in Alton, IL.
In honor of Shannon's legacy, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Guide Dogs of America in Sylmar, California, at
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Mary Shannon McGowen, please visit our Tree Store.
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