Katherine "Kate" Cowan, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2026.

Kate was born on September 27, 1945, in Bergen County, New Jersey, to George and Grace Schwarz. She grew up in Fort Lee, New Jersey, with her three brothers, Paul, Thom, and Pete. Following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmothers, Kate attended Holy Angels High School, where she began a life grounded in family and tradition.

Kate's brother Thom remembers during their teens he and Kate spent many Saturday nights together, both "dateless", watching Saturday Night at the Movies on TV. They cheered and cried and ate endless cookies with chocolate milk. Who needed the anxiety of a real date when they had each others company? Later Kate became Thom's advisor and advocate when he started exploring the world. She was steady, generous and correct with her guidance.

When Kate met Howard Cowan she was not interested in going out with him, but some medical students had dates and were going to see Dr. Zhivago, a movie Kate wanted to see, so she went on a first date with Howard. The rest is history, on May 11, 1968, Kate married the love of her life, Howard Cowan. Together, they shared 57 years of marriage and four children—Christian, Colleen, Jennifer, and Megan. Family was at the heart of Kate's life, and she took great pride and joy in watching her children and grandchildren grow.

After retiring to Florida, Kate and Howard found a special way to give back to their community. For many years, they volunteered at Mote Aquarium, where they helped with efforts to protect and save endangered sea turtles.

Kate will be remembered most for her devotion to her family. She found happiness in baking, gardening, and spending time at the beach. She also put her sewing skills to work making fantastic Halloween costumes for her children and grandchildren—costumes that became cherished family memories.

Kate had a gift for making a house feel like home and for creating traditions that brought her family together. Her love was expressed in countless everyday ways in the things she made, the time she gave, and the memories she created with those she loved.

Kate is survived by her devoted husband, Howard; her four children and their families: Christian and Kelly Cowan, and their children Ben and Sam; Colleen and Tim Hayes, and their children Liam, Molly, and Aidan; Jen and Roger Higgins, and their children Sam and Katie; and Megan and Bob O'Toole, and their children Bobby and Emily. She is also survived by her brothers, Thom and Pete, and many extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly.

Here are a few memories of Kate that we wanted to share. . .

·         Kate was an excellent cook, but also loved biting into a Big Mac!

·         So as not to show favoritism, when cooking ravioli for dinner, Kate would one-by-one count out the number of raviolis in each of her kids four dishes.

·         Kate adored Colleen's amazing creations – she wore sweaters and hats that Colleen made and proudly showed off tatted Christmas decorations on her tree.

·         Kate and Howard were supreme entertainers, mixing drinks and cooking up a storm, they hosted Meg and Bob's engagement party and Jen and Roger's post wedding brunch at their home in Hollis NH.

·         When Chris and Kelly's son Sam was being born Kate was so excited she sat at the door with her purse on her lap for an hour, wanting to rush to the hospital at Kelly's first contraction.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Grace Schwarz, and her brother Paul.

Kate leaves behind a legacy of love, family, and compassion. She will be deeply missed, but her memory will live on in the traditions she created, the lives she touched, and, most of all, in the family she loved so dearly.

A memorial service will be held at Oakcrest Senior Living Community Chapel in Parkville, Maryland, on October 10th at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial contributions to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch , an organization that was especially meaningful to Kate.

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