Her parents, Joseph and Adele McGovern, both graduated from Boston University School of Law.
She attended Emmanuel College for two years before entering an accelerated program at Boston University School of Law.
In 1956, Mayor John Hynes appointed McGovern to the position of assistant corporation counsel for the city of Boston.
In the Democratic primary she received 24% of the vote to Kevin White's 39% and Francis X. Ahearn 37%.
[1][2] McGovern died on February 21, 2009, at her daughter's home in Mill Valley, California.