Mary Ruth McGow

Mary Ruth McGow October 7, 1934 – December 13, 2021 Mary Ruth McGow (Groves) was born on October 7, 1934 to John and Stella Groves and grew up on their family farm in Atwater, Illinois. She was the oldest of three children, with her brother John F. Groves Jr. (deceased) and sister Nancy Glenn. She graduated from Carlinville High School, attended the University of Illinois, and graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She also received a Master’s Degree in Education from St. Louis University. Mary Ruth began her teaching career in Jerseyville, Illinois teaching high school home economics classes. She also taught high school in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Mary Ruth met her husband Pat McGow at a dance in Gillespie, Illinois and they were married in 1957. They spent the next 64 years of marriage together. They have three children: John Michael McGow (Lizy), Patrick McGow (Donna) and Megan Crays (John). Mary Ruth was a dedicated mother who took time off from her teaching career to stay home to raise her three children. She was an active mother in many aspects, as she was the President of the school’s Parent Teachers Association, coordinated library and school volunteers, managed sports teams, coordinated the church quilting club and many other volunteer activities. Mary Ruth and her family moved to Plymouth, Michigan in 1982 and she resumed her teaching career at Dearborn Heights Montessori Center and Plymouth Montessori School teaching pre-school and day care for many years. Mary Ruth loved teaching and being with children. She enjoyed quilting and sewing. She loved to read and play cards. She enjoyed dinners and drinks with friends and family. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, December 13th after having spent the prior day surrounded by her husband and three children. She was loved by many and will be missed by her friends and family, including her grandchildren: Alec, Zachary (deceased), Ashley, Devyn, Connor, Anakin and Quinn. There is no public visitation as the family is having a private funeral mass and service. To share a memory, please use the Share a Memory tab on this web page.

Mary Ruth McGow

October 7, 1934 - December 13, 2021