Eileen M (Nee: Murphy) McGowan

Eileen Marie (Murphy) McGowan, of Beverly, N.J., went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2018. Born in Elizabeth, N.J., she lived most of her life in Elizabeth and Kearny before moving to Beverly in the early 1990s. She graduated from St. Mary's High School in Elizabeth, where she played on the girls varsity basketball team, The Hilltoppers. She also served as a Gray Lady at her local hospital. Eileen was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America. Within a week after graduating high school, she began working in the offices of Public Service Electric & Gas Co. in Newark, in the payroll department. It was while she was on a bus trip with co-workers, going to a football game, that she met the love of her life, Jimmy McGowan. After they married, Eileen served as a troop leader in the Girl Scouts, and later as a member of the Immaculate Conception School PTA. For more than 45 years, Eileen and Jimmy enjoyed summers down the Jersey Shore, at Ocean Beach III in Lavalette. Eileen was happiest spending time with her family and long-time friends who became part of her extended family. She was fondly known as Mema by her family and friends. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Jimmy, her sister, Barbara, and her sons, James and Kevin. Eileen and Jimmy were married 65 years and were an example to us all. Eileen is survived by daughters Eileen Haydon (Tom) and Claire Heron (Edward) and seven grandchildren, James and Eilleen McGowan, Christopher and Brian Haydon, and Daniel, Kevin (Dana) and Grace Heron, and her great grandson, Henry Heron, along with many nieces, nephews and friends. A viewing will be held at St. Joseph's Church, 805 Warren St., Beverly, N.J. from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 18, and from 10 to 10:45am. on Wednesday, Dec. 19. A celebration of life mass will be held Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. at the church. Family members would like to extend their appreciation to Samaritan Hospice, Marlton, N.J. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Eileen McGowan's name to St. Joseph's Church at the above address. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Eileen M McGowan (Nee: Murphy) please visit our Sympathy Store.

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