ONEONTA - Mary Jane McGowan passed on to the arms of the LORD and to join Dean her loving husband in eternity on January 23, 2017 at the age of 90 years and 8 months.

Mary Jane Smallin McGowan was born in May 1926 in Oneonta, NY the daughter of Percy and Edna Hazard Smallin. She attended Bugbee School – Kindergarten through 8th grade then graduated from Oneonta High School in 1944 and won the special honor of the graduation speech.
Mary Jane was very active in many clubs and extracurricularactivities and was a drum majorette. It was during her time in High School where she met Dean W. McGowan Jr. the love of her life freshman year.
Dean and Mary Jane courted throughout high school, collegeand Deans WWII military service then were married in 1951 after 11 years of wonderful courtship and engagement.

Mary Jane attended State University College at Albany for a double major in Social Studies and Biology and double minor in English and Music. She graduated in 1948 with a B.A. degreewith Honors and furthered her studies at State University Oneonta to receive her M.S. degree with additional hours in 1956 Magna Cum Laude honors and extra hours in Psychology and Childhood training and was a member of Alpha of Phi Delta Sororities.

Her teaching spanned 15 years in total with her teaching 9th – 12th grade social studies at Unadilla central school 1948 – 1951; grade 3 at Roessleville Elementary School, Albany (Colonie) N.Y. 1954 – 1959; Grade 3 and 4 in observation room and team teaching program at Bugbee training school in Oneonta NY from 1970 – 1975, and substitute teaching for the Oneonta School District. During these times teaching Mary Jane spent 2 years in Key West Florida (1951- 1953) with her husband's work assignment for General Electric Co., and had two sons Jeffrey and Scott born in 1960 and 1962 respectively while living in North Syracuse N.Y.

Mary Jane and her family returned to Oneonta in August 1968 with her husband's career move.

Because of her love and experience in floral work she became manager of Coddington's Florist Pyramid Mall location for many years after she stopped teaching.
Mary Jane was an active member in many organizations. She was the first baby baptized in the current church building that is now the First United Methodist Church of Oneonta and was an active participant from early childhood through adult life participating in youth groups, choir, Bible study and disciple group. She has been a member for over 47 years of the Oneonta Chapter of the NYS DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), a member of the Oneonta Federated Garden Club, The woman's axillary of The American Legion post 259, Life member of the Oneonta Business woman's club, the OtsegoCounty Numismatics (Coin collecting) Association through which she shared coin collecting with her husband from the 1940s through his passing in 2004, a member of the Greater Oneonta Historical Association, and the center for continuing adult learning.

Mary Jane had many interests and achievements, the most important love of her life was her husband Dean and their two sons and two grandchildren. She was known for wearing hats for all occasions, loving care of animals, cooking and baking, gardening, artistic floral arrangements wreathes and displays, writing poems, creative arts, knitting sewing and quilting having created two quilts by hand. Following in her mother's footsteps she took up both oil and water color painting and created many paintings for family and friends. She took beginner and advanced paining classes as she advanced this passion.

Mary Jane loved the out of doors, nature and camping. Whether in a tent, their small camper or later in life with husband in their conversion van she researched and found exciting camping locations and adventures for the family. Summer vacations were a special time for Mary Jane to plan and share with the family and during the retirement years she and Dean traveledthroughout the USA, England, Scotland and other historical places. One of her favorite vacation spots was her annual fall trips to Vermont with Dean for the fall foliage.

Mary Jane loved antiques and amasses an extensive bell collection of over 150 pieces. From early days in the 1960s in Syracuse NY to Oneonta NY she studied, taught and played Bridge teaching many friends.

She loved Baseball and attended many Oneonta Yankees games and watched major leagues. She also took an interest in supporting her Husband and sons in their Boy Scouting activities and could always be counted on to sew on merit badges, rank badges, camporee and other patches.

Mary Jane loved entertaining welcoming many into her home during the holidays and other times for dinners or social time. She encouraged her husband, children and grandchildren's individuality with love and support. She was a caregiver for several family members always loving to give of herself and to help others.

Mary Jane and Dean celebrated 50 years of marriage in March 2001 with a special dinner with family and friends and a larger reception at the First United Methodist Church. They were married for 53 years before Deans passing in 2004.
In May 2016 Mary Jane celebrated her 90th birthday at a celebration at the American Legion with her family and many friends.

Mary Jane is predeceased by Husband Dean W McGowan Jr, her Son Jeffrey McGowan, Parents Percy and Edna Smallin, Sister Ruth Smallin VanSchaick and Ruth's Husband Carlton of Schenectady NY, 3 aunts, 1 uncle and her 4 grandparents.

Mary Jane is survived by Son Scott A. McGowan of Chicago, IL; Grandchildren Lindsey and Sean McGowan; three Nephews Tom ( Pat) , Bob (Kathy) and Gary (Robin) VanSchaick and many grand and grand grand nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday, January 26th at the First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Oneonta. The funeral service will begin at 12 p.m. where she was Baptized and Married and celebrated her 50th anniversary. Mary Jane has indicated that she wishes to begin and end her life there. A reception will follow in the church's Social Hall.

Mary Jane will be interned next to her loving husband Dean on the family plot in the Oneonta Plaines Cemetery, 1 p.m., May 10, 2017.

In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following;
First United Methodist Church – designated for church pew cushions;
St Jude's Children's Hospital;
Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (www.ASPCA.com/donate)

Online condolences may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are with Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.