2018-07 As you know, I was married for 9 years to Felix McGowan, '50 --- that is a long time ago for memories, or photos, from your records and contacts --- but I've saved all you've sent me, in a file – I'll keep it, in Felix's memory for as long as I can. He would be 95, this coming November – and was laicized in 1963 – so that really is a long time ago, now. As far as I know, his friends have all passed on … I don't know if there are any others "out there" who would remember him … Felix died on November 13, 1999. He had turned 76 on October 14, and was living in Donegal, Ireland at the time. He died at Donegal Hospital, of end-stage lung cancer. He was very well cared for, at first by the local people in the little village where lived, and then in hospital, where he was given enough medication to keep him relatively pain-free until the end. He'd moved back to Donegal in 1991, and lived from then until 1999 in a small cottage by the sea, in a village named Teelin. We'd first moved there together with our 3 children in 1971. He'd loved the place from the start. It was a "man's world", a fishing village… We'd been living in Ontario, Canada when Felix read an article describing the desperate state of poverty in the west of Ireland, where a local Priest was trying to do something about it – and he wanted to go, to contribute his expertise in cooperatives, learned when he was in Bolivia. I agreed. However, after a couple of years, it proved too lonely, too isolated for me … During our years together there Felix really helped a great deal ---e.g., with ideas re: how the fishermen could gain a wider market for what they took from the sea. One of his ideas was to buy a refrigerated van in order to transport lobsters and other fish safely and quickly to areas such as Dublin and Cork, where they were in great demand by the restaurants. The local populace was so poor at the time that they could hardly afford to consume their own milk, let alone eat lobster. The fishermen raised the money, and the truck proved its worth in greatly increasing their incomes! Felix also was a skilled fisherman himself, and fished alongside the men. He taught them how to make better, stronger lobster pots, and nets – he knew a lot about fishing, as well as boat mechanics … He enjoyed the fishermen's company, both on the sea and in the local pubs in the evening. Felix was very much loved in that little village. However, he came "home" to the USA with me in 1973, when I couldn't take the isolation any longer – but he was not happy; we eventually separated permanently in 1976. I was not surprised when one day, 3 years later, he just decided to go back to Donegal. I think he never should have left. He'd found a "place", there -- his place, where he felt more comfortable, he told his children, than anywhere else he'd ever been. The local people loved him; and they took care of him, when his lung cancer drew to the final stages; they came in with food every day, and with peat for the fire -- helped with his need for housekeeping, and a little company – and at the end, when he could no longer get out of bed they took him to the local hospital, where the staff kept him comfortable, no charge, till the end. He was right to go back – it really was his place. I don't know if anyone who remembers Felix might like to know the above, but please feel free to circulate my words, or some version of, if you'd like. I can't now remember if I'd ever sent you the Memorial booklet I'd promised you, of the service that was done here at the Maryknoll Fathers Chapel for Felix, in 2004. I will do so --- I think when I last spoke with you I'd just moved, everything was packed and I couldn't remember where I'd put the copies … but I do now, and I'll send you one if you'd still like to see it. I organized this 2004 service, because no one from the Fathers had been able to come to the earlier memorial Felix's sons had organized, in his home parish (Holy Name, in New Rochelle) when they brought his body home from Donegal in 2001. I thought it would be good if he were to be remembered, and memorialized, at Maryknoll – I approached Fr. William Coy, who'd served with Felix in Bolivia, who was so very kind, and agreed to say the Mass and to speak in memory of Felix. I kept in touch with Fr. Coy, and so know he has now passed away himself. He was such a kind man. Few people, by then, remembered Felix - -- but he not only did, but had thought well of him (Felix had been quite controversial, during his time – the beginning of the new thinking, "walk with the poor", rather than conversion) – So, I was very happy that we'd done this Memorial. It worked out well. Well --- I've not been in touch for so long, and just thought I'd send you this little personal note tonight. Lastly, I can tell you that our 3 children have proven to be a beautiful legacy for Felix. They are: Felix (50), Maureen (49) and Michael (46) --- good people, and happy in their lives. They are all married, with children of their own. Felix Jr. was the first to marry, and Felix Sr. met his first grandchild, Caitlin when she was 1 year old -- shortly before he died. All 3 honor the memory of their father and are proud of him. They know his history, and have been collecting mementoes of his life, and of his family --- I'm very proud of them, and happy to share my life with them now. I'll be 80 this month (7/30), still very well, happy in my own life --- I work p/t at our local Library, after having retired from 26 years at the NYC Housing Authority --- a very happy and good place to work, when I was there. All in all --- everything worked out so very well, for our little family. Felix was brought "home" in 2001 by his children after donating his body to the hospital in Galway in 1999; he is now at rest in the McGowan Family plot, in New Rochelle, NY, which his parents had bought for the family. He is the only one now buried there with them. We are all happy that he is near enough, where his children can visit. Our youngest, Michael and his wife Kristin and their children visit Felix's grave every Christmas, with a wreath – on behalf of us all. Time & past time for me to end, say good night, and to thank you, Ray, for keeping me in the loop this long, with no word from me. Best to you, Maureen (Doherty) McGowan