Geraldine Marie Cowden

After a long battle with Alzheimer’s complicated by COVID-19, Gerry was called to be with her eternal father on December 12, 2020.  She was born on December 24, 1928 to the late Emmabelle and William Harshaw.  

She will be forever remembered and cherished by her children Gary, Kathy, Casey, Carol, Tammy, Terry and Tracy.  Several of her children Cindy, Dick, Larry, Kim and Jeff left this earth much too early but are now celebrating the arrival of their dear Mother in Heaven.

Growing up on Conneaut Lake, Gerry loved spending time on her grandfather’s charter boats in the summer and ice skating and sled riding in the winter.  Like all young girls, she loved attending the dances at Dreamland Ballroom at Conneaut Lake Park.  Gerry graduated from Conneaut Lake High School in 1947 and a year later married her sweetheart Charles “Chuck” Cowden.  He too now welcomes his wife to her heavenly home.

Gerry worked as a beautician before the arrival of her family of six boys and six girls.  She absolutely loved being a Mother and her pride shown through on each of her children’s faces.  She lived by and taught them the Golden Rule…”Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  And if you had the privilege to know Gerry Cowden, you understood the true meaning of kindness.

She was very involved in the 5th Street Presbyterian Church where she also sang in the choir.  Active in the Meadville Twin Mothers Club, she enjoyed attending their local and regional conventions.  She was also an active member of the Conneaut Lake Historical Society and often volunteered her time at their museum in Conneaut Lake. 

Gerry loved sports and played basketball for her high school team.  She was a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates and loved watching them on TV.  As a premier supporter of her own children she rarely missed a game, concert or event.  For a number of years she worked in the school cafeteria where you could often hear her offer advice to the students that she heard from her own father “Don’t try to be someone you are not. Just be the person the man upstairs wants you to be.  Be truthful, honest and help others whenever you can”.  

In addition to her husband Chuck, Gerry is preceded in death by her children Cindy Gray, Larry Cowden, Kim Cowden, Jeffrey Cowden and Richard Cowden.  

She is survived by her daughters Kathy Kisiel of Wilmington NC, Carol Parker of Clayton NC, Terry Cowden-Bolster of Pittsburgh PA and Tammy Cowden-Maloney of Conneaut Lake Pa as well as sons Gary Cowden of Studio City California, Casey Cowden of Lexington NC and Tracy Cowden of Huntersville NC in addition to her sisters Peggy Dear of North Carolina, Connie Gentle of Canyonville Oregon, Sandy Rhoades of California and brother Bill of Florida along with many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.