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Marcille Anita "Skip" Cowan, 92, Altoona, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, at her home. She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late James V. and Margaret 'Peggy' (Greiner) Mullan.
Skip married Richard J. Cowan Sr. at St. Therese of The Child Jesus, Altoona, on Aug. 30, 1952. They celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary before his death on Nov. 24, 1989.
She was also preceded in death by her son, Richard Cowan Jr. (survived by wife, Barbara) in 2007; daughter, Karen Dougherty (survived by husband, Thomas) in 2008; and her beloved dog, Taffy.
Surviving are her three children, all living locally: Connie (Brian) Bennati, Daniel (Wendy) Cowan and Tina (Brian) Welteroth; two sisters, Nancy (Duane) Elmers in Illinois and Carol Guerre in Colorado. She was the proud grandmother of 12 grandchildren: Jason, Eric and Marc Dougherty; Adam, Brad and Devin Bennati; Daniel and Matthew Cowan; Jess (Welteroth) Auerbeck, Lindsie (Welteroth) Queale, Collin and Josh Welteroth; as well as 12 great-grandchildren; and a great-great grandchild.
Skip graduated from Allegany High School, Cumberland, Md., in 1949, after which she attended Catherman's Business School of Cumberland. She held various positions at local schools, churches and businesses. She then worked at the family business, Cowan Electric, and finally at Altoona Builders Exchange, from where she retired at age 90.
Her many years of community service included volunteering for the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, Garvey Manor Nursing Home, multiple area elementary schools, and she was the Cheerleading/Pep Club Advisor for McNelis Catholic School.
Skip was an expert gardener; she could grow poinsettias in July and geraniums in December. She especially enjoyed bird-watching from her kitchen window. Skip was a gifted cook (using taste, never recipes, as her guide), and she loved nothing more than gathering her family together for a great meal.
Finally and most importantly, Skip was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who loved her family abundantly and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
She was a devout member of The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.
Friends will be received from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, at Jones Funeral Home, 1222 13th Ave., Altoona. Committal at Calvary Cemetery, Altoona.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, at The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona, with Monsignor Stanley Carson, celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament; or Central Pennsylvania Humane Society, 1837 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona, PA 16602.
Condolences may be made at JonesFHAltoona.com.