Brenda Payne McGowan

PORTLAND- Brenda Payne McGowan of Portland, Oregon, died June 13, 2014 after a five and a half year fight with ovarian cancer. Her diagnosis did not stop her from enjoying and living her life, which she did with grace and courage. She was born in Brookview, Maryland, a daughter of the late Milmon and Dorothy Payne. She graduated with a nursing degree from the Delaware Hospital School of Nursing in Wilmington. After graduation she and a friend set off to see the country and camped as they went, experiencing 22 states and Mexico in their travels. During her travels, she met the love of her life, William “Bill” McGowan and thoroughly enjoyed 15 years of marriage until his death in 1986. Education was an important passion for Brenda as she felt it broadened one’s horizon. For 25 years, she has offered scholarships for many to help them fulfill their dreams of a college education. In 1987, she and two other devoted birders formed a grassroots nonprofit organization, Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project to support the Western Bluebird in the Oregon area. Today the bird has been moved from the “threatened” to the “sensitive” list because of the many devoted volunteers. In addition to the bluebirds, her passions were family, friends and music. She is survived by her step-children, Betsy (Jim) Hozgraf and David (Debbie) McGowan; six grandchildren, five great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews and their children. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; sister, Jean; and brother, Bob. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at Brookview United Methodist Church, 5136 Rhodesdale-Eldorado Road, Rhodesdale, MD 21659. Brenda specifically asked remembrances be sent to the Sherie Hildreth Ovarian Cancer Foundation (SHOC), a nonprofit that supports ovarian cancer research, raises public awareness and connects survivors with resources to assist in their journey, www.shocfoundation.org, P.O. Box 327, Gladstone, OR 97027. Local arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.

Brenda Payne McGowan

February 9, 1944 - June 13, 2014