Obituary of Denise McGowan

Denise McGowan, 56, of Glen Gardner, NJ, passed peacefully into eternal life, on November 12, 2011, at home, surrounded by her loving family. Born: Denise Comito on April 9, 1955 in Passaic NJ, she was the daughter of Charles Comito of Paterson NJ and the late Mary Comito. Personal: Denise graduated with an RN and BA from Bloomfield College in 1977. She worked as an ICU nurse for thirty years, spending the final twenty years working in the ICU at Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington NJ, when she was forced to retire in January 2008 because of her illness. She cared deeply for her patients, staying late to provide the extra care they needed. She was known throughout the ICU, by both doctors and nurses alike, for her excellent medical knowledge, gentle bedside manner and calming demeanor. She enjoyed cooking and showed her love for her family by the gourmet meals she prepared for them. She also enjoyed lacing, traveling, seeing her many friends in Clinton and Frenchtown, and sitting quietly with her beloved cat, Vickie. Survivors: Her loving husband, Dr. John M. McGowan and his children John P. McGowan and his wife Alexandra of Annandale, NJ, and Dr. Christopher E. McGowan and his wife Dr. Grace Lee of Chapel Hill NC. Also surviving are her father Charles Comito of Paterson NJ, loving sisters, Nina Reehl and her husband Bruce of Warrenton VA and son Justin and his wife Yos of Apex, NC, and Grace Lopardo and her husband Thomas of Gilford, NH and her daughter Sara, and husband Kevin of Sandbornton NH, and numerous and loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. Services: Will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 11:00 AM at St. Ann Roman Catholic Church, 30 Main St., Hampton, NJ 08827. Family and friends are invited to call on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 between 2 PM and 4 PM, and 7 PM and 9 PM at Martin Funeral Home, 1761 State Hwy 31 South, Clinton NJ, 08809. Interment will be at St. Ann Roman Catholic Church Cemetery, located immediately behind the church. Memorials: Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Denise to Hunterdon Hospice or the Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center at 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822.