Clara McGowan
Clara “Cissy” Catherine McGowan, 87, passed away at her home in Slippery Rock, Worth Township, at 11:20 a.m. Friday following a short illness.
She was born in Pittsburgh on Nov. 12, 1928, to Michael Frank Vogel and Mary Rebecca Morrow Vogel.
She married William Patrick McGowan on Dec. 31, 1947, and he preceded her in death on Oct. 1, 1984.
She was a homemaker. As a young girl living in Pittsburgh, she enjoyed being on the swim team and was known by many as a “great swimmer.”
In later years, she had worked in custodial care for the Slippery Rock School District and Service Master.
“Cissy” was an avid reader. She was an active member of the West Liberty United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing in the choir; working in her garden, including freezing and canning vegetables; cooking and baking; and doing crossword puzzles.
Survivors include four daughters, Karen A. Hoover of Huntingdon, Pa., Linda J. Young and her husband, Gerald A. “Jerry” of Pooler, G., Rebecca A. “Becky” Allison of Slippery Rock and Pamela S. Geist and her husband, George H., of Saxonburg; her son-in-law, William E. “Bill” Buchanan of Slippery Rock; 12 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Doris E. Buchanan; infant son, Gregory Paul; son, Patrick William McGowan, who died June 10, 2016; two sisters, Janet Fierst and Elmeda Boyd, and two brothers, William and Walter Vogel.
MCGOWAN — The family will receive friends of Clara “Cissy” Catherine McGowan, who died Friday, July 1, 2016, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Smith Funeral Home, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with Rev. Dan Miller, pastor of the West Liberty United Methodist Church, presiding.Interment will be in West Liberty Cemetery.Memorial contributions may be given to the West Liberty United Methodist Church.
