Anna Cowan

Anna Cowan passed on Friday, February 7, 2020 after a brief battle with cancer and a stroke at the age of 81 years. She was born the 5th child of 6 children on the farm at Ledwyn, Manitoba to Joseph and Katherine Okolita on December 16, 1938. They moved to the farm near Beausejour, Manitoba for all of her school years.

She married the love of her life, Burleigh Cowan, in 1958, and taught grade 6 at Laura Secord for one year. It was her calling to be a teacher and she spent the rest of her life learning and passing that knowledge on outside of classrooms. Her daughter Catherine was born in 1959, and she and Burleigh planned great adventures for their little family. Cancer completely blindsided them and took Burleigh from her in 1970. Anne worked as a supply teacher and after school supervisor for a few years before meeting Frank Smith in 1978. They bonded over a shared love of life at the cottage in Lee River, and of “shiny objects.” Frank passed in 2013.

Anne was a mad gardener and many of her friendships were made over-the-fence while admiring her magnificent vegetable and flower gardens. She had a great love for all animals and the wild critters and the visiting cats will miss the generous feasts in her yard.

She will be missed by her daughter Cathy (Tim Dutchak) of Cochrane Alberta, grandsons, Jason Phillips of Toronto and Ryan Phillips of Winnipeg, sister Irene (Ed Bowden) of Alberta, and many nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by all her over-the-fence friends, but most especially Tamie Archer, Judy Stewart, and Lise Helbig.

Donations to the Winnipeg Humane Society (https://www.winnipeghumanesociety.ca/) are appreciated. There will be no service and her remains will be scattered to the wind in a mountain meadow on a warm spring day at her request.

In the whirl of a warm breeze

In the dewy glint on a flower’s petal

In the rumble of a cat’s purr

In the chatter of sparrows

In the flash and crash of a summer thunder storm

In the glorious colours of each sunrise and sunset

We will remember and love you forever.