CLAUDE - Betty Jeanne Donnelly McGowan, 85, died Sunday, May 27, 2007.
Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Claude Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Roy Rutherford and the Rev. Janet Edwards officiating. Burial will be in Claude Cemetery by Schooler Armstrong Chapel.
Betty Jeanne Donnelly McGowan was born in 1921 in Vinita, Okla. The fact that her father and mother were part Cherokee provided Betty with a unique understanding of the meaning of community service. During the war years, Betty met and married Jack McGowan, a "native son" of Claude, where they took up residence and raised their four children, Tom, Jim, Marjeanne and John.
Betty began making significant contributions to the community. She taught Sunday school classes and served as Cub Scout Den Mother for her three sons. She was active in promoting Claude through its Chamber of Commerce and with the Business and Professional Women of Claude. In 1964, Betty was asked to help "temporarily" at the First National Bank of Claude. Twenty years later, she retired as a vice president of that bank. She was a member of the North Armstrong County Club, which was an organization of neighbors with a goal of benefitting the community. She served as president, secretary and treasurer of the Unity Study Club, which has a long history of sponsoring the Claude Public Library. Betty was a founding member of the Coronado Art Club and assisted with the displays of area artists. Her community involvement also included supporting United Methodist Church. She sang in the church choir, delivered Meals on Wheels and chauffeured others to doctors appointments. She served as president and secretary-treasurer of the American Cancer Society. Betty spearheaded a movement to employ a band director in the Claude school system and later formed the Band Booster Club which ultimately became the Parents Teachers Organization for the Claude Public Schools. Since 1990, when the Armstrong County Museum came into existence, Betty was elected treasurer on the board of directors and remained so until her death. As treasurer, Betty was involved in the growth of the museum, the renovation of the Gem Theater, the opening of the art gallery and gift shop, and the latest project, the renovation of the Charles and Mary Ellen Goodnight historic property and homestead. She had been totally dedicated to the museum since its inception. In 1997, Betty received the Distinguished Service Award that honors Texas Panhandle Women who helped shape the development of the Texas Panhandle through their contributions of talent and skill. Betty's contributions to her adopted community of Claude had been countless. She was a friend who always went the second mile and always brought with her a grace and beauty, good taste and good fun.
A heartfelt thanks to BSA Hospice doctors and nurses, and other health caregivers and to the many who have expressed sincere condolences to her loved ones. Betty will be buried in the Claude Cemetery next to her beloved husband, Jack McGowan and her son, John McGowan.
Survivors include a daughter, Marjeanne Rutt of Austin; two sons, Thomas McGowan and wife Nancy of Boise, Idaho, and Jim McGowan and wife Lucy of Hereford; and two grandchildren,: Meredith and Will McGowan, both of Hereford
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society, 3915 S. Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79109; BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105; or Armstrong County Museum, 120 Trice, Claude, TX 79019.
Amarillo Globe-News, May 30, 2007
Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Claude Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Roy Rutherford and the Rev. Janet Edwards officiating. Burial will be in Claude Cemetery by Schooler Armstrong Chapel.
Betty Jeanne Donnelly McGowan was born in 1921 in Vinita, Okla. The fact that her father and mother were part Cherokee provided Betty with a unique understanding of the meaning of community service. During the war years, Betty met and married Jack McGowan, a "native son" of Claude, where they took up residence and raised their four children, Tom, Jim, Marjeanne and John.
Betty began making significant contributions to the community. She taught Sunday school classes and served as Cub Scout Den Mother for her three sons. She was active in promoting Claude through its Chamber of Commerce and with the Business and Professional Women of Claude. In 1964, Betty was asked to help "temporarily" at the First National Bank of Claude. Twenty years later, she retired as a vice president of that bank. She was a member of the North Armstrong County Club, which was an organization of neighbors with a goal of benefitting the community. She served as president, secretary and treasurer of the Unity Study Club, which has a long history of sponsoring the Claude Public Library. Betty was a founding member of the Coronado Art Club and assisted with the displays of area artists. Her community involvement also included supporting United Methodist Church. She sang in the church choir, delivered Meals on Wheels and chauffeured others to doctors appointments. She served as president and secretary-treasurer of the American Cancer Society. Betty spearheaded a movement to employ a band director in the Claude school system and later formed the Band Booster Club which ultimately became the Parents Teachers Organization for the Claude Public Schools. Since 1990, when the Armstrong County Museum came into existence, Betty was elected treasurer on the board of directors and remained so until her death. As treasurer, Betty was involved in the growth of the museum, the renovation of the Gem Theater, the opening of the art gallery and gift shop, and the latest project, the renovation of the Charles and Mary Ellen Goodnight historic property and homestead. She had been totally dedicated to the museum since its inception. In 1997, Betty received the Distinguished Service Award that honors Texas Panhandle Women who helped shape the development of the Texas Panhandle through their contributions of talent and skill. Betty's contributions to her adopted community of Claude had been countless. She was a friend who always went the second mile and always brought with her a grace and beauty, good taste and good fun.
A heartfelt thanks to BSA Hospice doctors and nurses, and other health caregivers and to the many who have expressed sincere condolences to her loved ones. Betty will be buried in the Claude Cemetery next to her beloved husband, Jack McGowan and her son, John McGowan.
Survivors include a daughter, Marjeanne Rutt of Austin; two sons, Thomas McGowan and wife Nancy of Boise, Idaho, and Jim McGowan and wife Lucy of Hereford; and two grandchildren,: Meredith and Will McGowan, both of Hereford
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society, 3915 S. Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79109; BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105; or Armstrong County Museum, 120 Trice, Claude, TX 79019.
Amarillo Globe-News, May 30, 2007
CLAUDE - Betty Jeanne Donnelly McGowan, 85, died Sunday, May 27, 2007.
Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Claude Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Roy Rutherford and the Rev. Janet Edwards officiating. Burial will be in Claude Cemetery by Schooler Armstrong Chapel.
Betty Jeanne Donnelly McGowan was born in 1921 in Vinita, Okla. The fact that her father and mother were part Cherokee provided Betty with a unique understanding of the meaning of community service. During the war years, Betty met and married Jack McGowan, a "native son" of Claude, where they took up residence and raised their four children, Tom, Jim, Marjeanne and John.
Betty began making significant contributions to the community. She taught Sunday school classes and served as Cub Scout Den Mother for her three sons. She was active in promoting Claude through its Chamber of Commerce and with the Business and Professional Women of Claude. In 1964, Betty was asked to help "temporarily" at the First National Bank of Claude. Twenty years later, she retired as a vice president of that bank. She was a member of the North Armstrong County Club, which was an organization of neighbors with a goal of benefitting the community. She served as president, secretary and treasurer of the Unity Study Club, which has a long history of sponsoring the Claude Public Library. Betty was a founding member of the Coronado Art Club and assisted with the displays of area artists. Her community involvement also included supporting United Methodist Church. She sang in the church choir, delivered Meals on Wheels and chauffeured others to doctors appointments. She served as president and secretary-treasurer of the American Cancer Society. Betty spearheaded a movement to employ a band director in the Claude school system and later formed the Band Booster Club which ultimately became the Parents Teachers Organization for the Claude Public Schools. Since 1990, when the Armstrong County Museum came into existence, Betty was elected treasurer on the board of directors and remained so until her death. As treasurer, Betty was involved in the growth of the museum, the renovation of the Gem Theater, the opening of the art gallery and gift shop, and the latest project, the renovation of the Charles and Mary Ellen Goodnight historic property and homestead. She had been totally dedicated to the museum since its inception. In 1997, Betty received the Distinguished Service Award that honors Texas Panhandle Women who helped shape the development of the Texas Panhandle through their contributions of talent and skill. Betty's contributions to her adopted community of Claude had been countless. She was a friend who always went the second mile and always brought with her a grace and beauty, good taste and good fun.
A heartfelt thanks to BSA Hospice doctors and nurses, and other health caregivers and to the many who have expressed sincere condolences to her loved ones. Betty will be buried in the Claude Cemetery next to her beloved husband, Jack McGowan and her son, John McGowan.
Survivors include a daughter, Marjeanne Rutt of Austin; two sons, Thomas McGowan and wife Nancy of Boise, Idaho, and Jim McGowan and wife Lucy of Hereford; and two grandchildren,: Meredith and Will McGowan, both of Hereford
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society, 3915 S. Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79109; BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105; or Armstrong County Museum, 120 Trice, Claude, TX 79019.
Amarillo Globe-News, May 30, 2007
Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Claude Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Roy Rutherford and the Rev. Janet Edwards officiating. Burial will be in Claude Cemetery by Schooler Armstrong Chapel.
Betty Jeanne Donnelly McGowan was born in 1921 in Vinita, Okla. The fact that her father and mother were part Cherokee provided Betty with a unique understanding of the meaning of community service. During the war years, Betty met and married Jack McGowan, a "native son" of Claude, where they took up residence and raised their four children, Tom, Jim, Marjeanne and John.
Betty began making significant contributions to the community. She taught Sunday school classes and served as Cub Scout Den Mother for her three sons. She was active in promoting Claude through its Chamber of Commerce and with the Business and Professional Women of Claude. In 1964, Betty was asked to help "temporarily" at the First National Bank of Claude. Twenty years later, she retired as a vice president of that bank. She was a member of the North Armstrong County Club, which was an organization of neighbors with a goal of benefitting the community. She served as president, secretary and treasurer of the Unity Study Club, which has a long history of sponsoring the Claude Public Library. Betty was a founding member of the Coronado Art Club and assisted with the displays of area artists. Her community involvement also included supporting United Methodist Church. She sang in the church choir, delivered Meals on Wheels and chauffeured others to doctors appointments. She served as president and secretary-treasurer of the American Cancer Society. Betty spearheaded a movement to employ a band director in the Claude school system and later formed the Band Booster Club which ultimately became the Parents Teachers Organization for the Claude Public Schools. Since 1990, when the Armstrong County Museum came into existence, Betty was elected treasurer on the board of directors and remained so until her death. As treasurer, Betty was involved in the growth of the museum, the renovation of the Gem Theater, the opening of the art gallery and gift shop, and the latest project, the renovation of the Charles and Mary Ellen Goodnight historic property and homestead. She had been totally dedicated to the museum since its inception. In 1997, Betty received the Distinguished Service Award that honors Texas Panhandle Women who helped shape the development of the Texas Panhandle through their contributions of talent and skill. Betty's contributions to her adopted community of Claude had been countless. She was a friend who always went the second mile and always brought with her a grace and beauty, good taste and good fun.
A heartfelt thanks to BSA Hospice doctors and nurses, and other health caregivers and to the many who have expressed sincere condolences to her loved ones. Betty will be buried in the Claude Cemetery next to her beloved husband, Jack McGowan and her son, John McGowan.
Survivors include a daughter, Marjeanne Rutt of Austin; two sons, Thomas McGowan and wife Nancy of Boise, Idaho, and Jim McGowan and wife Lucy of Hereford; and two grandchildren,: Meredith and Will McGowan, both of Hereford
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society, 3915 S. Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79109; BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105; or Armstrong County Museum, 120 Trice, Claude, TX 79019.
Amarillo Globe-News, May 30, 2007
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