Betty W. (Waterman) McGowan went to Heaven on March 30, 2019. She was 97 years old. Betty was born on November 26, 1921 in New Bremen, to Clara P.W. (Fischbach) and Arnold W. “Pete” Waterman. She had one sister Doris Howe (Les) and four brothers; Don Waterman (Alice), Jim Waterman (Audrey),Tom Waterman (Charlene) and Dave Waterman (Jean). All are deceased except Dave and Jean.
Betty moved to San Francisco shortly after high school, where she got a job working for the U.S. Government. Betty eventually transferred to Dayton, Ohio and started working for Wright Patterson Air Force Base as the executive secretary for Traffic Control. She met John W. McGowan at a dance, and they married on March 31, 1951. They were married for 47 years until John’s death on Dec. 2, 1997. Betty is survived by her three children; John McGowan (Katie), Janie McGowan, both of Phoenix, AZ, and Crystal McGowan of Madeira Beach, Fla. Betty is also survived by four grandchildren; Kevin McGowan (Kat), Clara McGowan, Brenna McGowan and Christian McGowan, all of Phoenix, AZ. Betty is also survived by two great grandchildren, Timothy McGowan, who is in the Army, stationed in Hawaii, and Trey McGowan of Phoenix, AZ. Betty eventually retired from government service, and got a job at Hewitt Soap Co. as executive secretary to the Vice President. Betty and husband John moved to Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 62 to be close to their children and grandchildren. Betty had many hobbies. She joined the Golden Girls dance team at age 75, where they performed all over the valley with tap and modern jazz. Betty danced with the Golden Girls for 10 yrs. Betty also volunteered working at Washington Activity Center for over 30 years. She was a member of the Senior Bingo Club at St. Helen’s Catholic Church, where she had many, many friends. Bingo was her passion!!!! She also enjoyed playing cards with her family and going to the Casino’s. Betty and her daughter Crystal loved to travel all around the world together. Betty was also an active member of Desert Breeze Community Church. She loved her Church Family!!! Services will be held on April 6th, 2019 at A.L. Moore Grimshaw Mortuary located at 710 West Bethany Home Rd. Phoenix, AZ. Viewing will begin at 10:00 A.M., Service will begin at 11:00 A.M. Betty will greatly be missed by all her family and friends!!! She was the best mother, grandmother, friend ever… May you soar in Heaven, you will never be forgotten. Till we meet again, your loving family…
*Please note the change in time of the Graveside Services:
Graveside Services will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 beginning at
2:45 P.M.
at the German Protestant Cemetery in New Bremen.