Jane McGovern, a cherished Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and Friend, passed away on August 7, 2018 at the age of 100. Married to the late Edward McGovern for 37 years, Jane is survived by her four loving daughters: Sarah aka Sally (Ernie) Hinz, Catherine (the late John) Elgert, Ellen (Gary) Celestini and Sheila (William) Skwarczewski.
Jane was the beloved Grandma of Deanna Qualls, Timothy (Michelle) Hinz, John (Linda) Elgert, Becky Celestini, Amy (Bob) Burgard, Liz Elgert, Molly Celestini, Michael (Mandy) Elgert, Jamie (Angie) Celestini, Scottie (Becky) Celestini and William Skwarczewski. She was predeceased by three of her grandchildren: Andrew Elgert, Wendy Celestini and Bridget Skwarczewski.
The proud Great-Grandmother to 16 great-grandchildren, Jane was lovingly known as “Grandma Muffin” to Melissa, Michael, Patrick, Shawn, Carrie, Seth, Liam and Evie; “Muff” to Spencer, Gabby, Grant, Seamus and Sarah; and “Big Grams” to Alayna, Domenic and Jimmie. Jane also was the Great-Great-Grandmother of Aiden, Hailee and the late Ava Skye.
"Pray every day, be a kind/good person, and eat lots of chocolate." Those were Jane McGovern’s words of wisdom to make it to 100 years of age.
Born in Clydebank, Scotland on May 21, 1918, Jane was the daughter of the late Sarah and William Curran, and the cherished sister of her late siblings — William, Sarah (Sadie) Schaeffer and Frank. The family was extremely close and together, left “the old country” to begin a new life in Hamilton, Ontario — setting sail out of Glasgow on August 29, 1920, when Jane was just two-years-old. The Curran family resided in Canada until January 7,1930, when they moved across the river to Detroit, Michigan.
Despite it being the Great Depression, Jane and her family were excited about this new life in America and worked together to help their family. Jane and her sister Sadie attended St. Edward’s School until they graduated from the 8th grade in 1931. Jane continued on to public school, attending Foch Intermediate for 9th grade, and Southeastern High School for 10th and 11th grade. She stopped going to school before her senior year, however, to get a job at G&G Grocery so that she could help contribute money to the family. Not getting her high school diploma would forever be one of Jane’s biggest regrets.
Jane went on to work at Bower Roller Bearing as an inspector. She did this job for about three years, before she retired in 1943 for a bigger and better career — as a wife and full-time mom.
Jane met the one true love of her life at a dance in Detroit during the summer of 1941. Edward (Eddie) McGovern was from Clones, Ireland and spotted Jane from across the room. The handsome Irishman asked Jane to dance and the couple was engaged nine months later. Jane and Eddie were married on August 8, 1942, at St. Margaret Mary’s Church in Detroit, Michigan. He was 34, she was 24.
The loving couple made their home in Detroit, Michigan and raised their four daughters there. The family made many happy memories together, some of Jane’s favorites being days on Belle Isle, summers at the cottage on Sanford Lake, trips to the Detroit Zoo, and picnics in Windsor. And she always loved indulging her favorites — scotch meat pies from Ackroyd’s Scottish Bakery, shortbread, salt & vinegar chips, and good cup of black coffee or an ice cold Vernors.
Nothing made Jane prouder than her family. She was a loyal daughter to her parents, taking care of them until they passed. And she was so happy to see her daughters all find good men to marry. As their girls began their own lives with “the guys”, as she called them, Jane and Eddie enjoyed traveling with her sister and best friend, Sadie, and her husband. The foursome would continue to do this until 1977, when Jane lost her dear Eddie.
Jane kept herself busy by spending time with her loving family, volunteering at church, playing cards with her friends, reading mystery novels, traveling, shopping, and going to cheer her grandchildren on at their various activities. One memorable activity they all shared together was being in the annual Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2008. Jane led the family down the parade route, proud to show off her Irish heritage. She also celebrated that heritage in 2005 when she fulfilled a life-long dream and returned to “the old country” — visiting her birthplace in Scotland and Eddie’s in Ireland.
Jane celebrated her 100th birthday on May 21, 2018, and was honored with a party from her family. Jane made a lasting impression on everyone who knew her and will forever be remembered as a sweet, funny, unselfish woman who said the rosary every day and was eternally devoted to her family.
Visitation will be held at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes Rd., Clinton Township, MI 48038 on Friday, August 10 from 2 pm until 9 pm with a scripture service at 7 pm.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church, 40501 Hayes Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48313 on Saturday, August 11 at 11 am, with visitation at 10:30 until time of mass.
