Stella D. McGowan

McGowan, Stella Dorothy (Kennedy) 93, departed this life peacefully in the presence of her loving family on March 27, 2012. Stella was born to parents Roy and Augusta (Moebs) Kennedy on May 29, 1918. She lived most of her life in Aurora and Montgomery, IL. She most recently lived the last seven years with her daughter Sharon and son-in-law Ed Biever Jr. after the passing of her husband Harold. Stella attended Abraham Lincoln Elementary School and graduated from West Aurora High School in 1936. She always loved to dance and in her youth traveled with a tap dancing troupe. Stella married her soul mate, Harold, October 10, 1938 and spent the next 66 beautiful years together. They were inseparable and deeply devoted to each other. Stella was a kind, caring and gentle woman and gave help wherever needed. She was loved by all who knew her. She enjoyed musical theater, doing lunch, hitting the mall, playing bingo, Bunco and especially winning at the game of Aggravation. She also loved the camaraderie of her good neighbors on Jefferson Street. She joined the Sanctuary Sodality at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, where she became unit leader and treasurer. Stella was employed at Kelmscott Press and Our Lady of Good Counsel School cafeteria; but mostly being a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Stella was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; infant son Harold Eugene; her parents Roy and Augusta; brothers Mort (Mary); Willard (Waneta); her brothers-in-law Richard (Gertrude) McGowan, Robert, Melvin (Isabelle) and Donald, who died in France in WWII; son-in-law John Petit and infant grandson Michael James Biever. Stella is survived by daughters JoAnne Petit of Sun Prairie, WI; Sharon (Ed, Jr.) Biever of Sandwich; Grandchildren Susan (Junior) Wingate of Sandwich, Katherine (Scott) Radel of DeWitt, MI and Edwin Paul Biever III (Pam Cortino) of Montgomery. Janet (Todd) Koberle of Pardeeville, WI and Jacquie (Randy) Thompson of Sheboygan, WI. Her great-grandchildren Jonathan and Pamela Wingate, Aaron and Taylor Radel and Jacob Biever. Stella is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and sister-in-law Ann Mehlmann. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Stella’s memory to Honor Flight Chicago, 938 W. Montana, Chicago, IL. 60614 or DeKalb County Hospice, 2727 Sycamore Rd, Suite 1B, DeKalb, IL. 60115. Celebration of life will begin Saturday, March 31, 2012 at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY from 10:30am to Our Lady of Good Counsel Church at 11:00am. Fr. Dean Russell will officiate, assisted by Deacon Tom Petit at the Mass and at the interment in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, March 30, 2012 from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY with a liturgical wake service at 6:00pm. Please visit our website at www.daleidenmortuary.com where you may sign the guest book, leave condolences for the family or view the Memorial Webpage set up in Stella’s memory. The family wishes to express gratitude to Dr. Dan Gauthier, Sandwich Hospital Emergency Room. Dr. Jadish Patel and nurses Judy, Heide and CNA Vonnie and the other angels from DeKalb County Hospice for their care and comfort. “At the Mother’s death, she will seem not dead, since she leaves after her two like herself, who she looks upon through life with joy and ever in death, without regret.” Eccelsiaticus 30 4-5

Stella D. McGowan

May 29, 1918 - March 27, 2012