Jean Barbara McGough

MCGOUGH Jean, Beloved Wife, Mom, Grandma, and GG, Jean McGough passed away peacefully at her home on May 26, 2026, surrounded by her loving husband and children. She was 91 years old. Jean was born on August 28, 1934, to Eleanor and Enio Forliti and grew up in Roseville, Minnesota. From an early age, she possessed the strength, determination, and vibrant spirit that would define her life and endear her to generations of family and friends. Jean was a registered nurse by profession, but her greatest life's work began when she married the love of her life, Thomas McGough, on April 12, 1958. Together they spent the next 68 years building a remarkable family and a home filled with love, laughter, loudness, and countless memories. Jean and Tom raised five children and were blessed with a family that grew to include their children's 5 spouses, 19 grandchildren (and their 15 spouses), and 30 great-grandchildren. Nothing brought Jean more joy than spending time with her family. Family celebrations, holidays, weddings, trips to Florida, the annual Minnesota State Fair gathering, and "special days" she planned individually with her grand children, were the moments she and her family treasured most. Jean was a woman of many passions. She loved traveling, especially spending time in their home in Florida and visits to Italy, the homeland of her father. She loved the challenge, beauty, and peace found in gardening and won awards for the roses she grew. She was also a gifted needlepointer who lovingly created a special Christmas stocking for each of her grandchildren, a treasured keepsake that will continue to hang in homes and hearts for generations. While Jean appreciated beauty in her roses, her travels, and her needlepoint creations, she loved the fun side of life. Jean had a passion for driving fun, fast cars. Over the years she cruised in an Oldsmobile W-30, a Datsun 260Z, a Maserati sedan, and the legendary jacked-up, big-tired 1968 Malibu. Her family still laughs about the day she chased one of its runaway tires down Fairview Avenue while wearing her bathrobe. Christmas was Jean's favorite season, and she was the heart of countless family traditions. For many years she directed the grandchildren's annual Christmas pageant, supplied the first set of fake snowballs that launched the now-famous indoor family snowball fight, and faithfully served as judge of the family's spirited Pictionary competitions-until she banned the game permanently. Jean also inspired a love of dancing throughout her family. Whether at weddings, parties, or family celebrations, she could almost always be found on the dance floor. Even at her 91st birthday celebration last September, she was still dancing and enjoying every moment. Jean is survived by her devoted husband, Thomas McGough; her children, Colleen (Bradley) Wood, Thomas (Megan) McGough, Mary Jean (Jack) Sargent, Nicky (Timothy) Nagle, and Michael (Janet) McGough; 19 grandchildren; their 15 spouses; and 29 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eleanor and Enio Forliti; her brothers, Thomas and John Forliti; and her great-grandson, Leo McGough, born an angel (Dec '25, due May '26) and forever held in the hearts of his family. A private celebration of Jean's life will be held by her family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Como Friends. At her 91st birthday celebration last September, Jean looked around a room filled with her children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and proudly declared, "I'm responsible for this!" It was a moment that perfectly captured the joy she found in family and the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind

Jean Barbara McGough

August 28, 1934 - May 27, 2026

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