Marcille A. Cowan

Marcille Anita ‘Skip’ Cowan, 92, Altoona, passed away Tuesday, August 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, Altoona, on August 30, 1952. They celebrated their 37^th wedding anniversary before his death on November 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; and two sisters: Nancy (Duane) Elmers of Illinois, and Carol Guerre of 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 one 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, and she especially enjoyed bird-watching from her kitchen window. She 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 where a funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, August 19, 2023, at 10 a.m., Msgr. Stanley Carson celebrant. Friends and family will be received Friday, August 18, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home, 1222 13th Avenue, Altoona. Committal at Calvary Cemetery, Altoona. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament or to the Central PA Humane Society, 1837 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd, Altoona, PA 16602. Arrangements have been entrusted to Jones Funeral Home, An Anderson Family Firm. Condolences may be made at JonesFHAltoona.com.