Mary Louise (Gowing) Chapman
Mary Louise (Gowing) Chapman, 85, passed away peacefully from cancer on July 4, 2026, in Sunnyvale, California. She was born on January 6, 1941, in Nashua, New Hampshire, to the late Frederick and Bertha (Hardy) Gowing.
Mary grew up in Hudson, NH, where she attended the Hudson school system and graduated from Alvirne High School in 1959, ranking fourth in her class with high honors. She sang in the youth choir at the Community Church in Hudson and earned blue ribbons in 4-H for her sewing skills two consecutive years. She worked at Benson’s Animal Farm and Banna Photo during high school and after graduation attended Plymouth Teachers College for one year on a PTA scholarship.
Mary worked for many years as a secretary in the Professional Employment Department at Sanders Associates, now BAE Systems. Mary met David on a blind date, and after several months of courtship, they married in 1969 and moved their family to California the same year. She earned a BA in Sociology from San Jos State, CA and worked as an Administrative Assistant for the City of Sunnyvale for many years. Together they traveled extensively, sharing a love of the arts, hiking, and trips to Lake Tahoe, where they enjoyed games of chance. Mary also loved gardening and cooking for family and friends.
Mary was a woman of deep faith and an active member of Good Samaritan United Methodist Church in Cupertino, CA, where she sang in the choir. She was dedicated to helping young women affected by domestic violence and those struggling with substance use and addition. She also volunteered her time teaching English to people from other countries, helping them become fluent in their new language.
Mary is survived by two sisters and brother-in-law Eleanor Freeman and Robert Freeman of Hudson, NH and Susan Stone of Nashua, NH; her brother and sister-in-law Frederick Gowing, Jr., and Winifred of Hudson, NH., and sister-in-law Linda (Corson) Ayers of Nashua, NH, her grandson, Nicholas Swartwout and great grand-daughter, Madison, both of Columbus, Ind., as well as several nieces and nephews.
Mary was predeceased by her daughter, Laurie (Corson) Swartout of Columbus, Ind., who passed away in 2008, and by her beloved husband David, with whom she shared 47 wonderful years of marriage before his passing in 2016. She will be remembered for her infectious laughter, wonderful sense of humor, unwavering positivity, and generous heart.
Services will be held at Alvirne Chapel at 160 Derry Road in Hudson on August 22, 2026, at 11:00am. Mary will be laid to rest at Hills Farm Cemetery behind the chapel. There will be a gathering at the Freeman home immediately following the burial.