Obituaries

Sarah A. McGowan

May 15, 2026

Services will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Adams Funeral Home. A viewing will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. Burial will take place at Lawnside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Redeemer Hospice, 160 E. 9th Street, Suite B, Runnemede, NJ 08078.

Sarah A. McGowan, 100, of Carneys Point, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026. Born in Woodstown, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin F. Atkinson and Mary Coles Atkinson.
At the age of sixteen, Sarah began working in the DuPont cafeteria. In 1947, she married the love of her life, Robert McGowan, and together they settled in the Penns Grove–Carneys Point area, where they raised their family.

Sarah devoted herself to caring for her daughter, Janis, while also opening her home and heart to many children throughout the community. Over the years, she made a lasting impact on countless young lives through her kindness, guidance, and care. Many of those children remained in touch with her throughout the years, a testament to the love and support she gave so freely.

After Robert’s retirement, the couple enjoyed traveling with friends, taking bus trips, skiing, and embracing life together. Sarah and Bob were also instrumental in organizing a local drum and bugle corps in the late 1950s, providing children with opportunities to learn music, marching, discipline, and teamwork while traveling throughout the East Coast for competitions. In later years, the corps gained national recognition.

In celebration of her 100th birthday, Sarah was honored by the Salem County Board of County Commissioners, Congressman Jeff Van Drew, and the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly in recognition of this remarkable milestone and her many contributions to the community.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Janis Sylvester; sisters, Margaret Adams and Barbara Messick; grandchildren, Christina Triano (Anthony), Lauren Schiavone (Thomas), and Kenneth Sylvester; great-grandchildren, Shae Mila Triano, Luca Triano, Emmi Triano, Theresa Schiavone Selcov (Timothy), Brittany Schiavone Remedios (Christopher), Jonathan Schiavone (Kate), Robert Sylvester and Sean Sylvester; and great-great-granddaughter, Olivia. She is also survived by her devoted niece, Fran Marandola, who provided exceptional care, support, and love throughout the years.

In addition to her parents, Sarah was predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert McGowan; her brothers, LeRoy Atkinson, Johnny Atkinson, William Atkinson, and Charles Atkinson; her sisters, Mary Atkinson and Annamay Atkinson; and her son-in-law, Norman Sylvester.