Roberta Jeanne McGowan, AKA Bobbie, Grammy, and Gram

September 24, 1933, to August 17, 2025

Our sweet Grammy was 91 years young when she left this Earth to see Poppy, Debbie, and Kimo. She was the beloved matriarch of our family and did her darndest to keep us all in line.

She always had a special spice, which added to the family dynamics, and was never afraid to say exactly what she was thinking.

Born in Seattle, Washington, to Clara and George Duke, Grammy was the 9th of 11 siblings. Her mother passed away when she was only 11 years old, so she took on the role of "mother" to her younger siblings. School wasn't much of a priority for her family, as she was needed at home to cook, clean, and care for her younger siblings. Living during the Great Depression meant her family was incredibly poor. Her clothes were always hand-me-downs and most often raggedy, which led to her being bullied in school. We anticipate this is where she grew the thick skin she carried with her until the very end.

As an 18-year-old, she took her younger siblings to the beach, where she saw Poppy sitting at his lifeguard station. She liked what she saw and pursued this handsome young man. The two lovebirds were married in Seattle, Washington, on January 16, 1953. They moved to San Diego, where he joined the Navy. Over the next several years the two were blessed with four extraordinary children. Debbie, Steve, Susan, and Sandy.

While living in California on Molett Street, Gram & Pop found complete joy and a sense of belonging. They met and became lifelong friends with a group of neighbors. These friends had parties every weekend until the wee hours of the morning, where they played games and laughed. Gram was never very social or religious, so these women were a godsend for her, even if she didn't know it! This is where she was able to shine, quite possibly for the first time in her life. These five women were always walking across the street to go to one of their homes for coffee… and to spill the tea. These women put their arms around our mom and pulled her in tight, never letting her go. Occasionally, you have no idea how profoundly you impact another's life. They all stayed in touch until the very end. There is only one of these incredible women left standing, and she is the Grand Dame of women. We love her as our mom loved her. Beverly Nunley Duffy, we adore you, and we thank you. ❤️

Grammy made a beautiful home no matter where they were living. Her homes were always very put together and beautified. She loved gardening and found joy in the hundreds of flowers (especially daisies) that surrounded her homes. She passed her love of gardening to some of her children and grandchildren, who are now passing her legacy onto her many great-grandchildren.

Grammy is survived by three of her four children: Steve (Andrea), Susan, and Sandy (Larry). She had eleven grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, including Meghan Lane (Pyper, Elle, Crew, and Tyke), Shannon (Terry) Rychener (Trenton and Tylee Nicholson), Kelly (Tommy) Upp (Reville and Veronika), Shane Armstrong (Gus, Bud, and Hank), Hunter (Scout) Armstrong, Houston Armstrong, Andrew Murphy (Kory, Conner, Audrey, and Levi), Mollie (Patrick) Murphy (Debra O'Brien), Renton McGowan (Jozie, Addeline, and Declan), Alonna (Chris) Olmstead (Daxton), and Joylynn (Ryan) Spence (Kalani, Jaedyn, Alton, and Paxton).

We will always remember her love and hardworking nature. The many years enjoying the farm in Star, Idaho, will forever be remembered as some of the best of times. We love you and are so grateful for the joy you brought to our lives.

No services planned at this time