Maggie McGovern
Margaret Anne McGovern left this life in the early moments of Thanksgiving morning, November 28, 2013, surrounded by her loving family. That she choose to leave us on Thanksgiving was Mom’s elegance: immediately helping us move grief to the spirit of gratitude.
Born Margaret Anne Whooley in New York on July 20, 1933, ‘Maggie’, her parents and siblings came West to San Francisco in 1945, into the thriving Irish Catholic community of that time. She finished grammar school at St. Anne’s, and following the family’s move to Guerrero Street, attended St. Paul’s High School.
Maggie was loving mother to eight children: Ed (Tina) McGovern; Margaret (Frank) van Beuningen; Maureen Kelly; Brian (Theresa) McGovern; Kevin (Lori) McGovern; Eileen (Andy) Patania; Deirdre (Douglas) Muller; Moira McGovern, and beloved ‘Mimi’ to grandchildren Katie, Claire, Meagan and Jack; Molly, Danny and Grace; Brian, Christopher, Thomas, Stephen, and Elizabeth; Rosie; and Devin and Ryan. Maggie is survived by her sisters Janet Johnson, Marilyn Devlin, and Maureen Bowman; brothers Michael and Dan Whooley; and numerous loving nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Edward; by her parents, John and Peggy Whooley; and by her brothers Jack and Jeremiah Whooley.
In 1963 Maggie and Ed co-founded Knight’s Restaurant and Catering in the heart of the Civic Center of San Francisco, and for over forty years in business served Presidents, a Pope, the famous (and infamous) from all over the world. It was a true partnership, with Ed as CEO and master of ceremonies, and Maggie as the well-dressed, gracious hostess and strong CFO.
Maggie lived a life of style and of service. She was an active member of St. Francis Solano parish, and volunteered weekly at St. Vincent de Paul. She was a member of St. Paul’s alumni, Loyola Guild, past president of Little Children’s Aid Auxiliary, served on the board of Catholic Charities for 8 years, was a member of the Archbishop’s Ring of Charity, Knights of Holy Sepulcher. Mom’s elegance was truly was the core of her spirit.
Services will be held in San Francisco on Thursday, December 5th, 7pm viewing at St. Ignatius High School Chapel, and 1pm funeral Mass at St. Francis Solano on Friday, December 6th.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Maggie’s memory to St. Vincent de Paul Society c/0 St. Francis Solano Church; or the The Jack McGovern Coats Disease Foundation, 20 Park Road, Suite E. Burlingame, CA 94010. (www.coatsdiseasefoundation.org)
