Obituary of Anna M. McGowan

Anna Marie (Aquilino) McGowan passed only 11 days after her husband of 61 years passing.  Anna passed from complications from surgery following a fall in December.  She was 88 years old.  Anna was born in Somerville.  She was the daughter of Italian immigrants, Carmen and Theresa Aquilino.  She grew up in Somerville in a home where Italian was spoken, and Italian traditions and cuisine were the norm.  She met her future husband Donald McGowan on a blind date, and they were married in 1962.  They settled in Burlington and quickly started a family.  Anna embraced her role as homemaker.  She dedicated her life to caring for and supporting her family.  She continued many values and traditions she had learned growing up.  For Anna, family always came first, and food was an expression of love.  She was a fantastic Italian cook and used many of the recipes from her parents and aunts and uncles which were handled to them from the generations before in Italy.  Holidays were celebrated in Italian style with the seven fishes for Christmas Eve, soup and pasta served before a main course, and there never can be too many courses or too much food. She loved decorating and maintaining her home. She loved to entertain family and friends.  She was the ultimate hostess.  She and Don made a wonderful team in raising their 2 children.  They made sure they had the opportunities that they did not have growing up, like access to quality education and many activities to take part in.  Anna was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader for many years during Patti’s childhood for her scout group.  Anna being a baton twirler as a child was thrilled when Patti took it up as well.  She traveled all over New England seeing Patti’s Baton Corp compete. She loved the comradery shared with the other parents during the competitions and trips.  She also supported her son Stephen in his activities and sports especially baseball.  She never missed a game.  The fields at Simond’s Park were like her second home during the baseball season.  Summers were often spent at the Burlington Country Club watching the kids take swimming lessons, participate in swim teams, and play with friends.  There were family vacations to Marthas Vineyard, Lake George, Mount Washington, Wentworth By the Sea, Bermuda, New Jersey to visit family, and of course Italy.  In Italy, she was the tour guide and spoke fluent Italian.  She and Don were leaders in the Son’s of Italy in Burlington.  Don served as the president and Anna as the treasurer for years.  She was also a member of the Burlington Junior Women’s Club.  She also took ceramic classes on Monday nights with friends for many years.  It was her getaway night from her children and Don’s night to take over.  When she would get home, she would realize that Don’s rules were less strict than hers and it was comical what Don allowed when she wasn’t on watch.  She was ultimately a homemaker with a decade or so of working at a bank when the children were older.  She enjoyed working very much.

Anna was the beloved wife of the late Donald McGowan.  She was the loving and supportive mother of Patricia McGowan-Moynihan of Burlington who resides currently in Tyngsborough and the late Stephen O. McGowan.  She was the sister of the late Ersilio, Tony, and Robert Aquilino. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan funeral home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Friday, February 16 from 4-7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Margaret Church, 111 Winn Street, Burlington on Saturday, February 17 at Noon.  Services will conclude with Anna being laid to rest with her beloved Don at Pine Haven Cemetery in Burlington.  For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net