[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E16-E17]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO HONOR THE LIFE OF MARGARET ANNE McGOVERN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 8, 2014

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a great and 
good woman, Margaret Anne (Maggie) McGovern, who died surrounded by her 
loving family on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2013. Maggie was born 
in New York on July 20, 1933, and moved to San Francisco with her 
family in 1945. She was a straight A student who was educated at St. 
Anne's Grammar School and St. Paul's High School.
   Maggie married Ed McGovern, and in 1963, they co-founded Knight's 
Restaurant and Catering in San Francisco. For over forty years in 
business they served Presidents, a Pope, the famous (and infamous) from 
all over the world. It was a true partnership, with Ed as CEO and 
Master of Ceremonies, and Maggie, as the well-dressed, gracious hostess 
and strong CFO.
   Together, Maggie and Ed became world travelers, visiting six 
continents, including several trips to Amsterdam, Ireland, all the 
world capitals, and to their beloved Kauai where they celebrated their 
50th wedding anniversary in 2006 with 30 of their closest family 
members.
   Maggie lived a life of style and service, giving generously of her 
time and talents to others. She was a member of St. Paul's Alumni, the 
Loyola Guild, past President of Little Children's Aid Auxiliary, a 
board member of Catholic Charities for eight years, a member of the 
Archbishop's Ring of Charity, Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, and in 
later years, volunteered weekly at St. Vincent de Paul and St. Francis 
in Sonoma. Her elegance was not only in her fabulous wardrobe . . . it 
emanated from the core of her spirit.
   In 2005, Maggie and Ed retired to their beautiful home in Sonoma 
where they became active members of the community and formed new 
circles of loving friends.
   Maggie was preceded in death by her loving spouse of 56 years, Ed, 
and was the devoted mother of eight children: Ed (Tina) McGovern; 
Margaret (Frank) van Beuningen; Maureen

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Kelly; Brian (Theresa); Kevin (Lori) McGovern; Eileen (Andy) Patania; 
Deirdre (Douglas) Muller, and Moira McGovern. She was the beloved 
`Mimi' to Katie, Claire, Meagan and Jack; Molly, Danny and Grace; 
Brian, Christopher, Thomas, Stephen, and Elizabeth; Rosie; and Devin 
and Ryan.
   I had the privilege of knowing Margaret McGovern for over three 
decades. She was a woman of great faith and lived a life of values, 
instilling in her children and grandchildren the importance of 
integrity, decency and a genuine respect for every human being.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the long and 
productive life of Maggie McGovern and in extending our most sincere 
condolences to her family. She shaped the lives of her family, lived 
her faith daily, and bettered the lives of so many, strengthening the 
community she served and the country she loved.

                          ____________________