Rebecca M. McGovern of San Juan Bautista died on November 17, 2007 at her home. Her funeral will be held on Friday, November 23, 2007, at 2:00 P.M. at the Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home in Hollister.
Rebecca McGovern was well-known in San Juan Bautista for her dedication in preserving the historic beauty of this original early California settlement. Her passion and love of San Juan Bautista was steadfast and enduring. Although her health was failing, she remained politically active to the end and was extremely proud of her fellow citizens who joined in the effort to slow the growth rate of San Juan Bautista.
Rebecca was born in West Frankfort, Illinois, to Joseph E. McGovern, a coal miner and Celia Belle Gill, a public school educator. She was a born leader and one who took an active role in her school and community. Throughout high school she was president of her class, National Honor Society, Band, Orchestra, Choir, Drama Club and Editor of the School Yearbook. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, with the first Fine Arts Degree majoring in flute performance. Her graduate work was at Boston University, where she aspired to become the first female member of the all male Boston Symphony Orchestra. Her timing was premature so she turned to her second love – books. She became Advertising Manager for Beacon Publishing and later was the Director of Marketing for MIT Press. With the position at MIT Press Rebecca was involved in the publishing of many outstanding books, most notably the Bauhaus Book of Architecture.
In 1974, Rebecca moved to San Juan Bautista with her life partner, Wanda Styron, to begin a new adventure in owning and running a restaurant, the Mariposa House in San Juan Bautista. Upon arriving in San Juan Bautista, she immediately recognized the beauty of the area and understood the importance of preserving the history for future generations. To this end she became involved with the Chamber of Commerce and served on the Board of Directors of El Teatro Campesino and the Historical Society of San Benito County.
A woman of great wisdom and compassion, she will be greatly missed by her family and the scores of friends in San Juan Bautista who enjoyed the opportunity to discuss politics, world events, music, art and the importance of preserving San Juan Bautista.
She is survived by her brother, Bill McGovern and his wife Helga of San Juan Bautista; sisters, Willa Gill Dunleavy and her husband, Kevin of Fort Worth, TX; Margaret and Celia McGovern of Fort Worth, and by her nieces, Rachel and Paul Bounds of Fort Worth; Mary and Brad Johnson of Austin, Texas; nephews, Michael and Joan Barminski of Ventura; Robert and Caroline Barminski of Salinas; Bill and Melissa Barminski of Los Angeles,Danny and Suzie McMath of San Juan Bautista and Ronald McMath of Napa and her great nieces, Alexandria Barminski of Salinas; Elizabeth Barminski of Ventura, Jonna, Danielle and Emily McMath of San Juan Bautista, and her great nephews, Robert Barminski of Salinas; Michael Barminski of Ventura, Michael Bounds of Fort Worth, and Brennen Johnson of Austin.
Memorial contributions may be made to El Teatro Campesino in San Juan Bautista or the Public School Music Program of San Benito County or to the San Juan Public Library.
