Shirley D. McGovern's Obituary
Shirley Delores McGovern, age 91 of Batesville, died Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at St. Andrews Health Campus. Born August 22, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan, she is the daughter of Margarite (Nee: Seymour) and Edgar Higgins. She married Charles Anthony McGovern in 1945. Shirley worked for Columbia Ribbon and Carbon and Provident Bank of Cincinnati. She moved to Batesville in 1989 where she resided at the Golden Villa Apartments and was a member of St. Louis Parish and the Batesville V.F.W. Post #3183 Ladies Auxiliary.
Petite but mighty, Shirley was a protective mother and grandmother and doted on her family, affectionately pinching their cheeks saying “Oh, you little dickens!” She was a good listener and provided sound advice. Shirley never met a stranger and was loved by many. Never learning to drive, Shirley could be frequently seen walking to the public library or bakery. She enjoyed dancing to Neil Sedaka, Perry Como, and Frank Sinatra; cheering for the Cincinnati Reds; working crossword puzzles in the newspaper; and traveling to California to visit her daughter, once even going up in a hot air balloon. She loved animals, especially cats. Sleepovers at “Little Grandma’s” included: games of Boggle and Parcheesi and episodes of “Perry Mason,” “Columbo,” and “Murder She Wrote.” Her grandchildren enjoyed listening to her tell the story of “Hansel and Gretel.”
She is survived by her children: Dr. Charles E. (Linda) McGovern of Batesville, Kathleen Schmidt of Discovery Bay, California, and Gary McGovern of Bellevue, Kentucky; grandchildren Richard Schmidt, Tracy Higgs, and Marc, Jason, Christy, Meredith, and Madonna McGovern and great grandchildren Iris McGovern, Teddy and Max McGovern-Eimer, MacKenzie and Jacklyn Higgs and Jayden Schmidt. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers Edgar and Kenneth; son-in-law Richard Schmidt and former husband Charles A. McGovern.
The family will receive friends from 9 - 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 28 at the Weigel Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. The family requests memorials to Batesville Memorial Public Library or Ripley County Humane Society.
What’s your fondest memory of Shirley?
What’s a lesson you learned from Shirley?
Share a story where Shirley's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Shirley you’ll never forget.
How did Shirley make you smile?