Obituary of Celia Patricia McGovern

Celia was born in Herrin, Illinois to Celia Belle Gill and Joseph Edward McGovern and died of natural causes at Harris Hospital in Fort Worth, Tx.  On the evening of Tuesday, May 28, her devoted sister, Willa Gill McGovern Dunleavy while holding Celia in her arms and singing Brahm’s Lullaby, as her mother would sing to Celia every night, Celia quietly passed away.

 

Weigenlied by Johannes Brahms

Lullaby and good night, Thy mother’s delight,

Bright angels around, my darling shall guard.

They will guide thee from harm, Thou art safe in my arms,

Lullaby, and good night, May thy slumber be blest.

Celia grew up in a large and loving family, the youngest of seven siblings. The family doted on her and gave her many opportunities to travel and celebrate life.  Her mother was an educator who believed all children can learn and taught Celia to read, write, study art and music, and how to knit yarn.  Her father, a coal miner, loved classical music and especially Opera.  Classical music, singing, poetry, classical literature abounded in the home.  Trips to the Art Institute of Chicago played an important role in Celia’s life as she became an artist.  Celia also played the Accordion and loved Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty Ballet, the Beatles, the Chicago Cubs and Kincaid Hamburgers.

She was a special child that met many challenges in life, but one thing that she never lost was her spirit to be an artist and her love of music, especially the Beatles which formed many of her unforgettable imaginative conversations.  She did love to talk.  Also, she never forgot anyone’s birthday.

Celia was proceeded in death by her parents, her oldest brother Joseph McGovern, Jr.; sisters, Anne Perry, Margaret McGovern, and Rebecca (Becky) McGovern. She is survived by her sister, Willa Gill Dunleavy of Fort Worth, Tx and Willa’s twin brother, William (Bill) McGovern of San Juan Bautista, CA. Nieces: Rachel Barminski Bounds of Santa Fe, NM; Mary Barminski Johnson of Lockhart, TX. Nephews: Michael J. Barminski of Ventura, CA; Robert F. Barminski of Hollister, CA; and William J. Barminski of Los Angeles, CA.  Great Nieces: Alexandria Barminski Hakes of Aromas, CA;  Elizabeth Barminski of Ventura, CA.  Great Nephews:  Michael Bounds of Fort Worth, TX; Robert Barminski, III of Hollister, CA; Michael J. Barminski, Jr. of Argyle, TX; and Brennen Johnson of Austin, TX.  Great Great Nieces and Nephew: Yvette Hakes, Petra Hakes, Chloe Barminski, and Brody Johnson.

Interment with her parents at Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton, Illinois will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please consider a gift in Celia’s memory to:

     The Symphony League of Fort Worth Music Library Project for Young Children

     P.O. Box 101716, Fort Worth, Texas  75185

Or

     The A.R.C. of DFW, Org

     P.O. Box 14455, Haltom City, Texas 76117