Judy Gowan
1940 - 2026

Judith Marie Gowan Meis, loving mom

OLEAN — Judith Marie “Judy” Gowan Meis, 86, of Olean, passed away peacefully with loving family by her side on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Olean General Hospital, from natural causes.

Judy was born in Olean on March 8, 1940, as the second of 11 children. She was the daughter of the late Junior and Loretta Hoffmire Gowan. On Oct. 20, 1962, she married James Harold “Jim” Meis, who predeceased her.

Judy attended Olean High School. She went on to work in housekeeping at the Olean Nursing Home, which is now The Pines.

As a life-long music lover and audiophile, Judith earned and relished the nickname “Jukebox Judy.” She also enjoyed word puzzles, eating out and loved watching birds. She was very proud of raising her two children in a single-parent household, leading them to become successful adults.

Judy is survived by her children, Ronald James Meis and Susan Marie Meis Pollauf; her grandsons, Alan Ronald Meis and Corey Eugene Pollauf; her sisters, Susan Gowan O’Brien and Rita Gowan Blehar; and her brothers, Ed Gowan and Bill Gowan.

She was predeceased by her husband, Jim; her parents, Junior and Loretta; her sisters, Winnie Barber and Margaret Cameron; her brothers, Thomas, Harry, Howard and Richard Gowan; and her life partner, Harold Shortell.

A graveside service at St. Bonaventure Cemetery will be held at a later date and time to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, Judy requested donations to be made to her favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children Hospital.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State St., Olean. Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com.