Marilyn ‘Sherry’ McGowan

Marilyn A. “Sherry” (Woods) McGowan of Indian Rocks Beach, Fla., and Hull, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Aug. 7, 2023.

Born and raised in Greenwich, Conn., Mrs. McGowan was the daughter of the late Patrick Woods and Anna (Sweeney). She was predeceased by her husband, Jack McGowan, her daughter Martha, her brothers Eugene, Kevin, and Tom, and her sister, Catherine Wellington.

Mrs. McGowan was a dedicated career registered nurse, working at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston for many years. She ultimately advanced to head nurse of the critical care unit, during which she went to night school at Cambridge College to acquire a master’s degree in health sciences, and then advanced to become the first director of risk management for the hospital.

After retirement, she founded Atlantic Educational Conferences, a company providing continuing education credits for EMTs and nurses. Finally, after being impressed by the hospice care provided during her husband’s final days, Mrs. McGowan worked as an RN hospice care provider into her early 70s.

She is survived by her daughter Maureen and her husband, Tom Sullivan, of Plymouth, and son Gerry McGowan and his wife, Eileen, of Braintree. She is also survived by her six grandchildren: Jake, Katie, Hannah, Gene, Bonnie, and Fitz.

A celebration of life will be held on Aug. 31 from 1-4 p.m. at The View at Presidents Golf Course, 357 West Squantum St., Quincy.

In lieu of flowers, Sherry would be honored by donations to her favorite cause, The Home for Little Wanderers, http://www.thehome.org.