Sister Mary Kenan McGowan

Albany-Sister Mary Kenan McGowan, RSM (Ave Maria McGowan) died Sunday, September 4, in the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital, Albany. On September 8th, she would have celebrated her 60th Anniversary as a Sister of Mercy. Sister was the daughter of the late Francis J. McGowan and H. Irene Moreau McGowan. Born in Albany, NY, she graduated from Vincentian Institute, Albany. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of Saint Rose, Albany, and a master’s degree from St. Michael’s College, Winooski, Vermont.
Sister ministered as a teacher at St. Paul the Apostle, Troy; Blessed Sacrament, Albany; St. Margaret Mary’s, Albany; St. Mary’s, Waterford; Annunciation, Ilion; and Catholic Central High School, Troy, where she also served as Director of Alumni. She was one of the first Sisters of Mercy to break ground for our ministry in Anchorage, Alaska. As one of the first Parish Life Directors in the Diocese of Albany, she served at St. John Francis Regis Parish in Grafton and Sacred Heart, Berlin, now the Parish of Our Lady of the Snow. Under her leadership, the parish was honored in Paul Wilkes’ book Excellent Catholic Parishes. Sister Kenan remained active in parish ministry even after her retirement.
Sister Kenan loved life and lived every moment to the fullest. From a deep well of seemingly endless energy, she freely poured out her gifts on those who were blessed to be on the receiving end of her ministry. Although she was highly regarded as an excellent math teacher, Sister Kenan will be as well remembered by her CCHS students, alumni, and their families for the 28 years of variety shows she organized and directed. Wherever she was stationed, Sister Kenan never stood on the sidelines as an observer. Her love for people drove her to immerse herself in the traditions of her students or parishioners and to become an integral part of their lives, and they of hers. A friend described her as “the most ‘other-directed’ person I ever knew.”
Sister Kenan never spoke a negative word about anyone. She was quick to forgive and never harbored resentment or grudges, the one possible exception being her distress at being unable to get the Yankee games on the hospital television. Sister Kenan was a woman of unwavering optimism. Even in the last days of her life, she continually adapted her hope to fit the changing circumstances of her illness.
A hallmark of Sister’s Kenan’s life was her spirit of gratitude; gratitude for her call to be a Sister of Mercy, gratitude for her family, for opportunities to serve others, for the persons to whom and with whom she ministered, and gratitude for the gift of life itself.
Sister Kenan is survived by her sister, Irene Gotha and many nieces, nephews and cousins as well as by her religious community, the Sisters of Mercy. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers, Father Kenan McGowan, OFM Conv. and Frank (Bud) McGowan and by her nieces Georgia Anne Gotha and Patricia Anne Dix. The Sisters of Mercy are grateful to the staffs of St. Peter’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, St. Peter’s Hospital and the Hospice Inn for the great tenderness with which they cared for our Sister.
Viewing hours will be from 4 to 8 pm Thursday, September 8, in the Chapel of the Convent of Mercy, 634 New Scotland Avenue, Albany. The Hibernians will gather in prayer in the Chapel at 4:15 pm. Relatives and friends are welcome and are invited to attend a Prayer Service of Remembrance in the Chapel at 7 pm. Sister’s Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Friday, September 9, at 9:30 am in the Chapel of the Convent of Mercy. Interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush. Contributions may be made in Sister Mary Kenan’s memory to the Sisters of Mercy, 310 South Manning Boulevard, Albany, New York 12208.