Debra L. "Deb" McGowan

East Lyme - Debra L. "Deb" McGowan, 72, of East Lyme passed away in her sleep after a courageous battle with cancer Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at home embraced by family and in hospice care.

Deb was born in Detroit, Mich., in February 1953, the daughter of Virginia and Merrill Mauk, and raised in Algonac, Mich., until her family moved to Seminole, Okla., when Deb was 16. Deb had many fond memories of Algonac and made several life-long friends during the years in Algonac. She often reminisced about walking a few short blocks to school and playing with friends at a local pond. This was back in the days when kids were told to go out and play and be home by dinnertime.

Deb graduated from Seminole High School and attended an all-class reunion last year during a visit to family and friends in Oklahoma. Deb attended Seminole State College before transferring to Oklahoma State University graduating with a degree in journalism and public relations. Deb supported herself during her education at OSU working in the library.

It was during this time that she met and married the love of her life, Michael McGowan, in May 1980, at Theta Pond on the OSU campus. Deb used to tease Mike that they met because he had requested more inter-library loans for his dissertation than anyone else and it was part of her job to order the loans and, thus, his degree was a shared project.

Deb and Mike lived in Gainesville, Fla., for two years, where Deb worked for an advertising company and then moved to Greenfield, Ind., in 1982, where their three children were born.

Ever an avid learner with ambition and energy, Deb attended Indiana University School of Nursing in Indianapolis while raising the three children with Mike. She graduated with a Registered Nurse degree and worked at several hospitals until the family moved to East Lyme in 1993. Moving was a difficult decision as Deb and Mike developed many friendships and community ties in Greenfield.

Once settled in East Lyme, Deb continued her nursing career and worked in both hospital and private practice settings until her retirement. She also greatly enjoyed serving as a substitute teacher in the East Lyme schools for several years.

Deb had many skills and talents. She was an accomplished seamstress, had a flair for decorating for holidays; was an excellent cook; and even oversaw the construction of their house, serving as the general contractor. She teased Mike that she was the GC and he was simply the homeowner. She loved gardening and was always ready to help Mike with DIY projects, whether car repair or carpentry.

Aside from family and friends, Deb's passion for the past 25 years was ballroom dancing. She loved the precision and challenge of learning both smooth and rhythm styles of ballroom and enjoyed learning and sharing her knowledge with other dance students. Just a few weeks before her passing, Deb competed at the gold level at the Arthur Murray Showcase in Mystic and experienced two days free of the pain of cancer. Her family was able to support her during the event, and she was able to visit with the many friends in the dance community she made over the years. She received the Ballroom Dancer Lifetime Achievement Award in August 2025.

Deb's greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her husband, Mike; her sons, Patrick McGowan (Teresa) of Hamden, Ryan McGowan of Montville; her daughter, Kelleen McGowan of East Lyme; her former daughter-in-law, Brandi McGowan of East Lyme; and three very special and beloved grandchildren, Mikayla McGowan-Schunemeyer, Mary-Jane McGowan and Andrew McGowan; her brothers, Mike Mauk and Larry Mauk; and her sister Teri Mauk Holle Appelman. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who will cherish her memory.

In keeping with her wishes, Deb will be cremated, and the family is organizing a Celebration of her Life, at Arthur Murray Dance Center, 287 Main Street, Niantic, at a date and time to announced.

The family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, organizations that support veterans with PTSD, the Miracle League of Southeastern CT or organizations supporting autism research or the needs of children.

Deb was a unique individual. She was concerned with the wellbeing of others, fiercely assertive, when necessary, on behalf of her children and grandchildren and a loyal friend. She was Mike's best friend and loving spouse and is already greatly missed.