Geraldine Helen Cowie

In the early morning hours of Sunday, December 1, 2013, our beloved mom and grandmother Gerry Cowie passed peacefully away.

Gerry (Geraldine) was born on February 18, 1932, to Hec and Glady (Way) Watkins. With both of her parents coming from large families, Gerry grew up with an abundance of aunts, uncles and cousins in the South Osborne neighbourhood where she lived most of her life. Tea in Ma Watkins’ tiny kitchen with the aunties and their babies, being pulled in a sledge across the river to visit her mom’s sister and kids, playing baseball in any empty lot were all part of her happy childhood. She attended Riverview, Lord Roberts and Kelvin Schools, eager to learn. After high school, she trained as a lab technician. She met our dad Vic Cowie, who delightedly brought her into his world of literature, ideas, and theatre. Gerry supported him through heady years studying in Toronto. Once Vic began teaching at the University of Manitoba, Gerry stepped into the roles of housewife and mother, and a wonderful mother she was, encouraging each of us to grow, learn, play, and live a life of meaning. She kept herself challenged by diving into ways of enriching her community, through The Voice of Women, being on the founding board of Rachel Browne’s Contemporary Dancers, chairing UNICEF’s Halloween campaign, and tirelessly supporting the NDP. Gerry also began taking courses at the University herself, culminating in attaining a Master’s of Arts, in Eastern Religion and Thought, under the direction of Professor Klaus Klostermaier. After graduation, she took her son Paul off to a life-changing three month tour of India, returning on fire, because she’d discovered the living meditation master Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, who embodied the teachings she had studied for so many years. Gerry offered service in any way she could to support the Siddha Yoga path, and loved sharing the teachings with her fellow devotees at SYMC Winnipeg.

Gerry leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her legacy her children: Laura and deeply loved granddaughters Lucy Fowler and Lila Pompana, and of course Murray; Paul and wife Gery Oviedo and mother-in-law Patricia Pacheco; and John with foster sons Kyle and Scott. She was predeceased by her younger brother, Glenn in 1993. She also leaves many dear family members: her brother- and sister-in-law Peter and Dorothy Cowie and nephews Geoff and David; her sister-in-law Betty Watkins and nephews Barry and Alex; her aunt Vera Walters, and many cousins, especially the Lunch Bunch.

Special thanks to the Winnipeg Siddha Yoga community who supported Gerry through their prayers and good company; to Jack Parr (and Daisy) for so many cheerful phone calls, visits and jazz concerts; to Dr. Rowland Hayward and his caring office team; to the staff at St. Boniface Hospital 6A wing for their many kindnesses during Gerry’s last stay; to the Rendezvous Club at Riverview Health Centre for all the Scrabble games; to homecare coordinator Shelley Demski, and the homecare staff who enabled Gerry to live at home for as long as possible, especially Jackie, Melinda, Gerry, and Mary-Anne.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 1:30 pm at St. Paul's Anglican Church, 830 North Drive.

Flowers gratefully declined; if friends or family wish to make a donation, please consider the David Moroni School Endowment, Royal Winnipeg Ballet or the Muktabodha Indological Research Institute (muktabodha.org).

THOMSON FUNERAL HOME

669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C OX4

783-7211

Condolences may be sent to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com