Mary Kathleen Cowley

VENICE — Mary Kathleen Lowrance Cowley, 93, wife of the late Ray Garn Cowley of Venice, passed away Jan. 16, 2015.

She was born Aug. 14, 1922, in Brigham City, to Mary Elizabeth Tyner and John William Lowrance. Mary is survived by her children, Marsha Cowley Hall, William Garn (Gail) Cowley, Gregory Bruce (Cindy) Cowley and James Michael (Marya) Cowley; eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Mary and Ray lived 35 years in La Verkin, after spending 26 years in the U.S. Military. During this time Ray graduated from the University of Utah and the University of Utah Medical School. Together they lived in many parts of the world during and after the Second World War and the Korean War.

Mary was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had the opportunity to be a leader in all the organizations open to women during her many years. She also taught many Relief Society classes and learned a great deal that was of value to her as well as her family. She and her husband were active members of the La Verkin LDS 2nd ward, where her husband served as bishop.

Mary was active with the American Red Cross and was briefly president of the American Women’s Club when she lived in Augsburg, Germany, before moving to Regensburg, Germany. While in Germany Mary learned to speak the German language.

Mary took advantage of opportunities to learn many things by taking night classes in art, millinery and sewing, as well as many other subjects. She subsequently taught sewing, dressmaking and suit making. Mary was a pleasant, happy person who rarely met a person she didn’t like. She enjoyed being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

In her later years she developed acute asthma and bronchitis. These and other illnesses made it necessary that she stay at home, limiting much interaction with those she loved. She will be remembered for talents and traits ingrained by growing up in the “wild west” of Montana, including grit, optimism, a sense of adventure and a loving nature.

A viewing will be held Thursday, Jan. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Metcalf Hurricane Valley Mortuary, 140 North Main Street in Hurricane. Funeral services will be held Friday, Jan. 23, at 1 p.m., with a family viewing prior beginning at noon, at the Venice LDS ward chapel, 170 South Main Street, Venice. Interment will be in the Venice Cemetery.