Kristen Rush McGowan

Kristen Rush McLarry McGowan, our warrior angel, lost her battle with brain cancer on Saturday evening, April 4, 2026. She was surrounded by her family, and she is now in the arms of the Lord and her Dad. Kristen was a devoted wife, loving mother, dedicated daughter, steadfast sister and loyal friend, and she has left us far too early. She will be terribly missed by all. Her warmth, wisdom and humor touched everyone she knew. Kristen was born in Raleigh on March 21, 1980 to Louise Caralis McLarry and the late T. Michael McLarry. She was predeceased by her loving father, T. Michael McLarry, her grandparents Connie and Peter Caralis, Margaret and Donald Grider, and David Dowell McLarry.

Kristen was wholly devoted to her family. She cherished every moment with them whether big or small. From school line drop off, to teaching Michael to ski, or watching Brad and Michael bond over archery. She never missed a moment and was completely present in all that she did. She had a way of making you feel like you were the most important person in the room and went above and beyond to nurture relationships both old and new.

Kristen loved Jimmy Buffet and anything related to “Margaritaville.” She never missed a chance to see him in concert often laughing with friends. She quoted “If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane.” She loved pink flamingoes, spending time on any beach, and was an avid skier. Her love of the beach began while spending time in Florida with her grandparents and grew with every subsequent trip to Topsail Beach or anywhere that had a frozen drink and a fancy straw. She was great at sharing stories late into the night with friends and family and never missed a chance for a themed party or a tacky Christmas.

Kristen was a proud graduate of Episcopal High School graduating in 1998, and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduating in 2002. She loved her Tar Heels and rarely missed watching them play football and basketball. Go Heels! She was a member of the Delta, Delta, Delta Sorority where she made many life long friends. She was presented at the 1999 Debutante Ball in Raleigh, North Carolina. After graduation from Carolina she and her adventurous friends, Betsy Davis and Sydney McDaniel Jamison left Raleigh for Jackson Hole, Wyoming to follow their dreams. While out in Wyoming she met Brad McGowan who would later become her loving husband. They were married in 2005 and returned to Raleigh in 2007 where they started their home and family. Kristen went on to earn her paralegal degree from George Mason University and was later employed by the Chapter 13 Office of the Trustee as an account manager. Kristen also became a consultant for the skincare company, Rodan & Fields, where she thrived while empowering the women in her life to feel and look great. She loved her work and was a diligent employee. She cherished the many friendships she formed during those years.

She is survived by her husband, Brad McGowan, her son, Michael McGowan, her mother Louise McLarry, her step father, Tommy Creech, her brother Jason McLarry and sister-in-law, Courtney McLarry of Atlanta, GA, her brother Ryan McLarry and sister-in-law, Jeannie McLarry of Plano, TX. She is also beloved by nieces and nephews Mac McLarry (her birthday buddy), Kate McLarry, Theodore McLarry and twins, Ava and Sam McLarry. She also leaves her most cherished cousins and her aunts and uncles. The holes left in all of their lives by Kristen’s passing are immense, and yet she also leaves behind enough warmth, love and happy memories to fill them for decades.

A funeral will be held Thursday April 9, 2026 at 12pm at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 5000 Lead Mine Road, Raleigh, NC. Visitation will be held from 5-7pm Wednesday April 8 at Brown-Wynne, 1701 E. Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC. Burial and internment will be at Historic Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Transitions LifeCare, or The Believe Foundation Raleigh, NC. The family would like to thank Dr. Margaret Johnson, Dr. Scott Smith, Dr. Peter Fecci, and all of the wonderful and compassionate support teams that treated Kristen along the way. A special thank you to the staff at Transitions LifeCare for making her final moments peaceful.

“This isn’t goodbye but see you later"