Mary Rose, who loved to be called "Maw Maw" by her grandkids, departed her loving family on June 5, 2022.

Mary Rose married Edward L. McGowen, Jr, on November 24, 1962. Mary was mother to Kelley, Sandra, Edward(Nick) and Gregory McGowen. She is preceded in death by her parents Nicholas and Phyllis and older brother George Zuckero. She is survived by her husband, four children and their spouses, her younger brother DJ and his wife Sharon, her sister-in-law Damiana nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, family & friends.

Mary was born in Houston, Texas, on October 29, 1941. Her parents, aunts and uncles were descendants of the close-knit Italian community known for farming vegetables along Little York Road. She was proud of her Italian family traditions and participated in the annual St. Joseph's table where the church community prepares food and baked goods for the less fortunate.

Mary attended elementary school at Christ the King and then St Agnes Academy through her Junior year. She transferred to St Pius X in 1958, when the school began as a four-year high school and was a member of the first graduating class in 1959. Mary continued her education at the Lillie Jolly School of Nursing where she graduated in 1962. She began her Nursing career at the old Memorial Hospital in downtown Houston, Texas. She later married and started a family. In 1971 she resumed her career with Memorial Hospital which would later become the Memorial Hermann Hospital system.

She held leadership positions at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital throughout her career including Director over the Emergency Center, Cath Lab and ICU nursing staff. She was an active participant in the first trauma conference lead by Dr. James "Red" Duke, Jr. to build trauma services from the ground up for the Greater Houston area. Mary received Employee of the Year award in 1991 and was a dedicated Memorial Hermann employee until she retired in 1999.

Mary was a life-long gardener known for her smile and her enduring friendships. She was member of the Frey Garden Club for many years until it merged with the Harris County Master Gardeners. She enjoyed her Garden Club friendships at the many social activities and group trips. After retirement from Nursing, she began working on her Master Gardener certification. Among the many volunteer activities, she most enjoyed working at the Genoa-Red Bluff friendship garden. She helped grow plants to raise money for volunteer programs and vegetables for the Bridge over Troubled Waters women's shelter. Mary was very proud of her Master Gardner's certification, having devoted over 20 years of volunteering to the Master Gardener's.

Mary enjoyed traveling with her family and the various modes of travel they used to get there. Their trips ranged from driving a camper across the United States to flights to international destinations. She built friendships wherever they were visiting. She enjoyed the annual Operating Engineers Historical society trips and especially the shared camaraderie with the wives of the retirees. She visited Hawaii twice and made three trips to Canada. She even traveled to New York with her granddaughter to celebrate New Year's Eve 1998. Her most enduring trips were to Italy. She traveled with her brothers George and DJ to Sicily to visit the home of their parent's family. In true family style, they were greeted warmly and welcomed.

Mary had a kind and compassionate spirit who took great pleasure in helping people.

Visitation will be held Thursday, June 9, 2022 from 6pm to 8pm at Peevey Funeral Home, 12440 Beamer Road, Houston, TX 77089. Prayers of the Rosary will begin at 6:30p. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00am, June 10, at Saint Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 10727 Hartsook St, Houston, TX 77034. A reception for guests will be held at Saint Francis immediately after the Funeral Mass. The Rite of Committal will be held at St Joseph Cemetery, 8022 Airline Dr, Houston, TX at 3pm for family and friends.