Shirley G. McGowan

Shirley Darlene Griffith McGowan born 7 November 1933 to George Edward Griffith & Emily (nee) Baker Griffith in Des Moines, Iowa, passed away of natural causes and a broken heart at the age of 90 on 15 September 2024 in her home with her sons Michael & Craig and granddaughter Brittany by her bedside. Mom is predeceased by her husband Joseph R. (Bob) McGowan, siblings, George (Mary) Griffith, Hazel (John) Merrifield, Wayne (Patricia) Griffith, Fredrick (rose) Griffith, & her youngest son, David. Shirley is survived by sons, Michael and Craig, granddaughters, Alissa, Brittany, Megan, & Shane, and grandson, Bryce as well as several nieces and nephews.

Shirley lived a full life, meeting her forever partner, Bob McGowan at an A & W stand in Des Moines, Iowa where she was a roller-skate server at the age of 15 when dad pulled in with his cousin to order some “beers”. She playfully chided dad that he wasn’t old enough to have a beer and that encounter would hit off a lifetime together. They parted in March 2024 at dad’s passing, just shy of their 72nd wedding anniversary. They were married 29th of March 1952 at the ages of 18 & 21 respectively.

While raising 3 young boys, Mom earned her associate in arts degree in June 1971 graduating Alpha Gamma Sigma at El Camino Jr. College, Bachelor of Arts “summa cum laude” at California State University, Long Beach in January 1974, &a Master of Science at California Lutheran College in August 1980. Mom received her Standard Teaching Credential in April 1981 and attempted to find gainful employment within the Torrance Unified School District but apparently not young enough for regular teaching position due to her age at the time, the best she could muster were long-term substitute teaching positions. Mom next sought credentials as a Resource Specialist in Learning Handicapped and was awarded a State of California lifetime Specialist Teaching Credential in June 1985. Mom would finally land a full-time position for learning disabled at my dad’s school where he taught Industrial Arts.

Mom retired from teaching in 1990 and entered into a partnership in dad’s cabinet shop, and full retirement in 1999, with him through thick and thin until his passing this March 2024. With Dad gone, mom’s will to live quickly left her and missing dad with all her being, finally convinced her body to follow her heart and reunite once more.