Obituary of Lois Ann Kane McGarry

Lois passed away on December 18, 2015, 6 years after her husband Howard Kenneth McGarry.
She was born in Greensburg, PA to Hugh Patrick and Anna Kane. She was the 5th of 6 children and they were all very close. Her passing preceded her older brother Hugh (Bud) by 10 days and her older sister Mary by 29. They were the remaining 3 of her family. She was preceded in death by her sister Irene in 1955, her brother Regis in 2002, and her brother Donny in 2009.
After graduating high school, Lois had a number of jobs, one of them working for the Pentagon in Washington DC as a book keeper. In 1964, with her friend Tommy, she traveled to Oakland CA to begin a new life. During a Christmas Eve party, she first met her husband Howard McGarry. They married in November of 1965. Their first son Regis Kane was born in Oakland in March 1966. Shortly after, they moved to Upland CA, where her second son Mitchell Clinton was born in January 1968 in Fontana CA.
Lois and Howard lived in their Upland home for over 40 years, raising their two sons. Lois loved to entertain and the McGarry home was host to frequent pool parties, holiday events, and all manner of social gatherings. The Magnus and the Smith family were integral to her life and were ever present. Lois was a great cook and her signature desserts were highly sought after and prized.
The McGarry home was always open to family and many a Kane came for a short visit or sometimes an extended stay, and were always welcome. Lois kept close tabs on her brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews, and their families, and was usually the go to person for family news. Lois loved her career as a proud mother. She devoted her full attention to her family. She assisted her husband in his volunteer work, forming the women's auxiliary for Reach Out, organizing bake sales and other functions to raise money for her husband's charity. She also helped out on her son's scout troops, soccer teams, baseball teams, and was the treasurer for the Upland High School marching band.
When both of her sons left the house, and she experienced being an empty nester, she was blessed with the children that had recently moved next door; Chad, Ellie, and Kirk. She loved them dearly and often referred to them as her first grandchildren.
In time, her real grandchildren came. First Meagan Lee in December 1996, Heather Kane in October 2000, Miranda Louise in February 2007, and Camille Siobhan in November 2009. After being the only female in a male dominated household for 30 years, Lois was blessed with all granddaughters. She also dearly loved her daughter in law Maria, Mitchell's wife and her daughter in law MiChelle, Regis' wife.
Lois touched many lives and was a positive influence to many people. She leaves behind many fond memories, kind words, beloved recipes, and an enduring legacy of a love for, and devotion to her family. She will be dearly missed.

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Lois McGarry

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OBITUARY

Lois Ann McGarry

July 1, 1931 – December 18, 2015

Stone Funeral Home

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