Judith Marie Meis

Judith Marie (Gowan) Meis, loving mom

Olean- Judith Marie (Gowan) Meis of Olean, 86, passed away on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Olean General Hospital, with loving family by her side.

Born in Olean on March 8, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Junior and Loretta Hoffmier Gowan. On October 20, 1962, she married James Harold 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. A music lover and a life-long audiophile, an enthusiast dedicated to high-fidelity sound reproduction. She also enjoyed word puzzles, eating out, and loved watching birds.

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, James Harold Meis; 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.

Friends are invited to a graveside service at St. Bonaventure Cemetery on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11 a.m.

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.