Kathleen Jo McGowan

1942 - 2023

Kathleen Jo McGowan
April 15, 1942 - January 9, 2023
Raleigh, North Carolina - Mrs. Kathleen "Kathy" McGowan, 80, of Raleigh, NC, peacefully passed away on January 9, 2023. She was the daughter of the late J.E. "Ted" and Elizabeth Gaffney. Kathy was born on April 15, 1942, in Kansas City, KS. She attended Texas Christian University and graduated from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in Education.
Kathy was a devoted high school English teacher for over 30 years. She taught in Kansas, South Carolina and most recently at Broughton High School and Ravenscroft, both in Raleigh, NC. She was an avid reader and loved watching Kansas Jayhawk basketball with her husband of over 59 years.
She was united in matrimony to Fred Lawrence McGowan in October 1963 and together they were blessed with three children. She was preceded in death by her son, Patrick McGowan, in November 2018. Her life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children Keith (Shannon) McGowan and Heather McGowan; her grandchildren, Elizabeth, Grant and Martin, all of Raleigh; two brother Dennis (Judy) Gaffney of Mission, KS and Terry (Kathy) Gaffney of Boise, ID; and a host of devoted friends.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, January 13, at Renaissance Funeral Home followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saving Grace Animal Shelter or The Trilogy School, both located in Raleigh, NC.