Mary McGowan
Encyclopedia
Mary E. McGowan was an Ohio politician and member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 42nd district. In total she was served from 1938–1980.
She was a member of the Democratic Party
, and was a Roman Catholic.
, Ireland, the first of Eight children (3 would later die before reaching adulthood) to James Joseph (1862–1931) and Ellen Sweeney McGowan (1865–1944), and came to the U.S. with her parents that same year, settling in Akron, Ohio. A member of the Roman Catholic faith her whole life, she was educated at St. Vincent's (now St. Vincent–St. Mary High School) in Akron, and went on to attend business college.
Ms. McGowan was also a part of President John F. Kennedy
's campaign and was friends with President Jimmy Carter
.
McGowan died on March 15, 1980, after she failed to show up as the grand marshal for a St. Patrick's Day parade celebration in Akron, and was found dead in her home. McGowan's death was a huge loss to the Akron community and her funeral was well attended. Mary McGowan is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron.
Ohio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio; the other house of the bicameral legislature being the Ohio Senate....
from the 42nd district. In total she was served from 1938–1980.
She was a member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, and was a Roman Catholic.
Early life
McGowan was born Mary Elizabeth McGowan on May 25, 1885 in County DonegalCounty Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland, the first of Eight children (3 would later die before reaching adulthood) to James Joseph (1862–1931) and Ellen Sweeney McGowan (1865–1944), and came to the U.S. with her parents that same year, settling in Akron, Ohio. A member of the Roman Catholic faith her whole life, she was educated at St. Vincent's (now St. Vincent–St. Mary High School) in Akron, and went on to attend business college.
Career
McGowan began her career in politics when she served as Summit County, Ohio probate recorder, a position she held for 20 years. She was also a Democratic District committeewoman from 1938–1980, and was an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1944 (representing the 14th District), and a delegate to the Convention in 1952, 1956 and 1964. In 1960, she ran successfully for a seat in the Ohio House 42nd District, serving on the Welfare Committee, and was re-elected in 1962. In 1972, when she was 86, she ran unsuccessfully for a third term in the Ohio House of Representatives (winning the primary election but losing in the general election).Later life
Although she never married, McGowan came from a large Irish-Catholic family and was very proud of her Irish heritage. She was an active member of St. Sebastian Church in Akron, and was a President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Ladies Auxiliary.Ms. McGowan was also a part of President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
's campaign and was friends with President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
.
McGowan died on March 15, 1980, after she failed to show up as the grand marshal for a St. Patrick's Day parade celebration in Akron, and was found dead in her home. McGowan's death was a huge loss to the Akron community and her funeral was well attended. Mary McGowan is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron.