Obituary of Shirley Marie McGovern

Shirley Dittman McGovern, 65, resident of St. Maries, passed away at her home on November 4, 2016, after a courageous battle against cancer. She was born in St. Maries on March 28, 1951, the oldest of 14 children, to Robert and Mary McQuade Dittman. She attended St. Maries Academy through the eighth grade, and graduated from St. Maries High School in 1969. Shirley lived in several places over the next 11 years, including Lewiston and Nampa, Idaho, and Eugene and Roseburg, Oregon. She worked mainly as a sales clerk in various clothing stores, and enjoyed the culture of the different areas. In 1980, she returned to St. Maries, where she met Michael McGovern. They were married the next year, and had two sons. Shirley stayed home to be with her family, and became a mother figure to many of her sons’ friends. She attended Mass at St. Joseph’s Chapel in St. Maries, and taught school for a time in St. Joe City at St. Joseph’s Academy. Later, she received her CNA and started working as a home healthcare provider. Shirley enjoyed baking, cooking, gardening, crocheting, and knitting. She was an excellent seamstress. Her homemade Christmas candies delighted many for years, and Shirley’s kitchen always smelled of a delicious home-cooked meal. She loved collecting sapphire blue glassware and studying essential oils. Shirley is survived by her sons; Chris McGovern and Danny McGovern, both of St. Maries; grandchildren Terrin, Dominic, and Phoenix; mother Mary Dittman; siblings Steve(Dot) Dittman, Stan Dittman, Scott(Jean) Dittman, Shawn(Swanny) Dittman, Sam(Susan) Dittman, Serena(Bryan) Reid, Sally(Andy) Porter, Sharlyn(Joe) Johnston, Sonda(Kevin) McHail, Sidnee Dittman, Shannan(Mike) Mueller, Peter(Lori) Dittman, and Paul(Cindy) Dittman. She is also survived by her uncle, Tom(Karen) McQuade, Aunt Agnes Sibert, and Aunt Corrine Pierce, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Michael, and her father, Robert. The Holy Rosary will be prayed at Hodge Funeral Home on Monday, November 7, at 7pm. A Requim Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Chapel by Fr. Stephen Delallo on Tuesday, November 8, at 12 noon. Burial will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in St. Maries, with a dinner for family and friends following at the Walker Building.