Margaret M. McGowan

Margaret “Peggy” M. McGowan, 85, of Orange, Passed away on Wednesday June 21, 2017 at Midstate Medical Center in Meriden.  Peggy was born on April 23, 1932 in Watertown, CT to the late Walter S. and Jane (Burns) McGowan.

She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury, CT as well as from Catholic University.    She entered into the Sisters of Mercy and was known as Sister Mary Joel for 19 years of her life.  She received a Master’s Degree and worked for Regional School District 15 as well as Pomperaug Elementary School as a Speech and Language Pathologist until her retirement in 1989. Peggy was a long time communicant of Our Lady of Victory Church in West Haven, CT where she spend countless hours volunteering in the church’s Clothes Closet.

Peggy is survived by her step children; Paul Reiser(Polly), Robert Veeley (Melissa), James Veeley (Lisa) and Karen Veeley Miller (Curt).  She also leaves behind her grandchildren; Brian, Patrick, and Sean Miller; Meghan Veeley Apicella(Fred), Kevin, Nicole and David Veeley, and Emily and Amanda Reiser. She was predeceased by her first husband Kurt Reiser her second husband; Charles R. Veeley and a step daughter Nancy Veeley.  She was also predeceased by her siblings; Jane Madigan, Elizabeth Phalen, Ann McGrath and Walter McGowan. 

Family and friends are welcomed to visit the Keenan Funeral Home, 238 Elm St. West Haven, CT on Saturday June 24, 2017 from 9am-10:30am.  The funeral cortege will then process to St. Ann Church in Milford where a Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11am.  Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Milford. 

Peggy’s family would like to thank the staff of Kensington Village/Harborside Unit for their dedication to her dignity.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001.

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