Harriet "Betty" McGowan passed quietly in her home the morning of June 17, 2011. She was 93. The oldest of two children born in 1917 to Leon and Margaret Simmons of Lawrence, Michigan. Raised on a working farm in rural Michigan, she grew up to be an accomplished violinist and worked as a telephone operator, office clerk, business owner, and was a licensed pilot.
A woman of strong convictions and strong will, she defied her parents in 1938 to marry the love of her life, Lyle McGowan. Together they had three children; Kenneth Arthur (Sonny), Dennis LeRoy, and Jane Elizabeth. She was predeceased by her husband in 1973 and her oldest son in 1986.
Betty volunteered at a center for medically fragile children and she touched the lives of many others. She will be deeply missed by all who had the good fortune to be in her life.
Arrangements under the direction of Branam Funeral Home/Memorial Plan, Homestead, FL.
