Alice Bernice (Schafer) McGowan

June 11, 1925 – July 10, 2006

SOUTH BEND: On Monday, July 10, 2006, Alice Bernice (Schafer) McGowan, 81, lost her courageous battle with leukemia. The past two weeks, she had been in the Cleveland Clinic surrounded by her loving family and was able to hold onto her unforgettable sense of humor until she was called home by the Lord. Alice was born to Otto H. and Bernice E.Schafer who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Schafer Miller; a brother, Norman F. Schafer; and brother, Richard C.Schafer.

Her loving and dedicated sister, Kathryn M. Schafer, survives.They were best friends their whole life.

On June 6, 1950, as a South Bend Tribune reporter, she married the late Honorable Graham W. McGowan, who was at the time an aspiring politician and attorney who went on to become a federal judge. Alice soon became an active member of the Republican Party which continued in her later years with the St. Joseph County Republican Party.

Alice is survived by sons, Gregory W. (Christine) McGowan of Culpeper, Va., Brian H. (Cindy) McGowan of Titusville, Fla., Patrick M. McGowan of South Bend, Kevin C. (Cindy) McGowan of South Bend and Marc J. McGowan of Nashville, TN; and a daughter, Shannon B. (James) Nafe Jr. of South Bend. She also leaves eight grandchildren, Alyson, Graham, Katie, Carey, Gregory, Heather and Catherine, and little Kevin, and recently became a great- grandmother to Carson Lucas Hiler.

Alice was a longtime member of the Morris Park Country Club, and she loved her Tuesday Bridge Club with “the girls.” She was an unforgettable lady who touched many lives and provided many lasting memories and lots of laughter to those who knew her and her wonderful sense of humor.

Sources: Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com

10/14/2025 EJS