Elizabeth McGowan Obituary

LINVILLE, NC - Elizabeth Ann McGowan, age 90, of Linville, North Carolina passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at her residence in Linville.

She was born on August 11, 1933 in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late John A Mountz and the late Martha Fry Mountz.

Libby graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA and then East Tennessee State University with a Masters degree. Her career as a middle school teacher spanned across the United States, across the Atlantic Ocean to Germany. She was a devoted member of the Girl Scouts, having served as a leader for many years, president of the Johnson City Medical Center Medical Alliance, a Red Cross volunteer. She and her husband, Ron, have lived in 13 different places, she was always active in her church, and was a dedicated member of the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church since she moved to Avery County in 2002.

She enjoyed many hobbies, including playing the piano, organ and oboe, tennis, bowling, golf and together with her husband had cruised many times everywhere from Asia to the Amazon to the Antarctic.

Libby was a loving and kind woman whose most important accomplishment was her role as wife, mom, grandma and great grandma; she was a loving and true friend to those she had come in contact with, and those friends will miss her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her Father, John A Mountz; Mother, Martha A Mountz; son-in-law, David Goolsby.

Elizabeth leaves behind to cherish her memory husband of 68 years, Dr. Ronald McGowan of the home; son, John (Laura) McGowan of Johnson City, TN; daughters, Kathleen Burnett of Lancaster, CA, Beth Goolsby of Augusta, GA; grandchildren, Katherine (Justin) Skinner of Memphis, TN, Olivia McGowan of Knoxville, TN, Jake Burnett of Humbolt University, CA, John Blalock, Jr. of Augusta, GA, William Blalock of Augusta, GA; twin great-grandsons, Everett Skinner of Memphis, TN, Elliott Skinner of Memphis, TN; canine companion, Lala.

Services for Elizabeth McGowan will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 11:00 am in the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church with Rev. Whit Malone officiating. Following the inurnment services in the columbarium the family will receive friends in fellowship hall of the church.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the loving and caring staff of AMOREM Hospice of the High Country and the members of Banner Elk Presbyterian Church for the support and compassion they have provided.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: AMOREM Hospice of the High Country (please specify memorials for the High Country Patient Care Unit Capital Campaign) 902 Kirkwood St NW, Lenoir, NC 28645 or to the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church PO Box 158 Banner Elk, NC 28604.

Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the McGowan family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net

The care of Libby and her family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.

(828) 733-2121