Stacey A. McGovern

Stacey A. McGovern, 47, of Watertown, Connecticut, and a longtime resident of Ridgefield, passed away on May 18, 2026.

Stacey was born on April 18, 1979, a daughter of the late Nancy (Lynch) McGovern and Thomas Patrick McGovern. She grew up in Ridgefield, where she built lifelong friendships, memories, and roots that remained close to her heart throughout her life. Although she later lived in Watertown, Ridgefield always felt like home to her.

Stacey was a gifted athlete with a lifelong love of softball and baseball. She attended Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana on a softball scholarship, where she competed at the collegiate level and formed friendships and memories she cherished throughout her life. She continued to play softball in adult recreational leagues in Ridgefield, enjoying the friendships, laughter, and camaraderie of the game — along with the competitive spirit that came out once the game started.

Stacey loved being a nurse. She earned her nursing degree from Naugatuck Valley Community College and became a Registered Nurse, a profession she was proud of and deeply loved. Throughout her career, Stacey cared for patients in emergency departments, hospital settings, long-term care, subacute care, and home care. Her nursing career included work at Danbury Hospital, Waterbury Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Sharon Hospital, Genesis Healthcare, Hancock Hall, and other healthcare settings throughout Connecticut. She found purpose in helping people and families during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Stacey brought compassion, intelligence, calm, and dignity to the people she cared for.

For many years, Stacey also cared for her father, Pat, until his passing in 2024. Her love for her family was constant and generous. She was an extraordinary aunt to her seven nieces and nephews — Morgan, Devin, Garrett, Seamus, Cavan, Declan, and Paxton — and loved each of them deeply. Whether attending sporting events and graduations, taking them to movies, fairs, carnivals, or dinners, or celebrating birthdays, holidays, and milestones, Stacey made each of them feel uniquely loved and special.

Stacey absolutely adored her animals, especially Pudge the Pig and Turbo, her chocolate lab. They were her babies, and anyone who knew Stacey knew how proud she was to show them off and spoil them endlessly. Pudge, in particular, became beloved by many of Stacey’s friends.

Stacey was also a loyal and cherished friend. She built lifelong friendships both inside and outside of work and treasured the people in her life. She enjoyed Friendsgiving celebrations, exploring parks and nature, trying new restaurants, taking pictures, baking desserts, cooking for others, and spending time with the people she loved. She had a subtle, quirky sense of humor and a soft chuckle that made people feel comfortable. Stacey had a special way of accepting people with grace and kindness and making those around her feel seen and loved.

Stacey is survived by her brothers, Brian McGovern and his wife, Janet; Michael McGovern and his wife, Lisa; and Scott McGovern and his wife, Kelly; her nieces and nephews, Morgan, Devin, Garrett, Seamus, Cavan, Declan, and Paxton; and her uncle, Terry Leahy. She is also survived by her beloved Pudge and Turbo.

In addition to her parents, Nancy and Thomas Patrick McGovern, Stacey was predeceased by her sister, Elizabeth McGovern; her aunt, Kathy Leahy; and Sister Margaret Lynch.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9 Granville Avenue, Danbury, Connecticut. Interment will take place privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - 501 St. Jude Place; Memphis, TN 38105 or online at http://www.stjude.org