Lila B. McGovern peacefully left this Earth on Sunday, April 11, 2021. Lila was born on June 3, 1930, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Her younger years were spent in Stewartstown, Pennsylvania. Her undergrad studies were at Penn State University, and she received her master’s degree from the Graduate School of Education, Harvard University. Lila was an avid fan of her alma mater’s Penn State football team. She always made sure that she had time to watch their games.

Post Grad, Lila studied at the University of Dayton. She was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Pi Gamma Nu, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Delta Kappa, Pi Lamboa Theta, and a Golden Circle member and President of Delta Delta Delta. Lila taught Social Studies at Downingtown High School in Pennsylvania, was a Freshman Advisor at Miami University Ohio, Counselor at Parma High School, Pleasant Valley, and Valley Forge High School in Ohio, Counselor at White Plains High School in New York, and taught Social Studies at Quaker Ridge School in Scarsdale, New York. Lila’s life was also enriched by the many students she worked with in her role as Guidance Counselor for Shawnee High School until her retirement in 1986.

Lila married Dr. Earl A. McGovern on June 16, 1956, and enjoyed a wonderful fifty-three year marriage until his death in January 2009. The couple eventually moved to Lima Ohio, where they both continued to pursue their careers in the field of Education. Lila enjoyed golfing with her husband at the Shawnee Country Club. She was also a member of the Lotus and Delphia Clubs. She served on the Board of Trustees for Lima Visiting Nurses and was General Chairperson for St. Rita’s Celebrity Town Square Series and various other organization throughout her lifetime. Lila was a lifelong member and Elder of Market Street Presbyterian Church.

Lila is survived by her brother, Wallace R. (Helen “Honey” dec’d) Barnes of Columbus, Ohio, niece, Elizabeth “Bebe” Barnes, of Columbus, Ohio, and nephews, James McGovern of Columbus, Ohio, and John McGovern of Cleveland, Ohio.

Lila was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Earl A. McGovern, brother-in-law Donald M. McGovern, nephews Charles “Chip” Barnes, Douglas Barnes, and parents Charles Hicks and Erma Saylor Barnes.

The family would like to thank Primrose Retirement Center for their care and support over the years where she had made her home until her passing. A special thank you of appreciation to the wonderful staff at Interim Health Care for their exceptional care that was given to Lila over the past four plus years when her health started to decline.

There will be no visitation and a private family funeral will be held at the discretion of the family.

Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Any memorial contributions may be made to the Earl McGovern Scholarship Fund at Lima Senior High School or the Shawnee High School Scholarship Fund.

Arrangements have been entrusted to CHILES-LAMAN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, SHAWNEE CHAPEL.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.