CYNTHIA ANN "CINDY" COWAN

July 16, 1965 - May 25, 2013 - Cynthia (Cindy) Ann Cowan, 47, of Toronto, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 25, 2013 after a long and brave battle with ovarian cancer. Loving daughter of Sarah Ann and Wayne Philip Cowan, Cindy's calling to the social services came at an early age as did her meteoric rise to the positions of Executive Director at Nellie's, and Interim Place where she passionately advocated to improve the lives of abused and marginalized women in the city. In 2011, Cindy was recognized by the City of Toronto with the Constance E. Hamilton Award on the Status of Women for her tireless and devoted work in this area. Not quite one year ago, Cindy celebrated her birthday with a "47, still revellin' and avoiding heaven" party after almost two years as an Ovarian cancer survivor. Maintaining her joie de vivre despite a grim prognosis, she widened her advocacy efforts to bring attention to women's cancers, as well as Dying With Dignity, and has helped raise both awareness and significant sums of education, research and support dollars. Cindy, oft quoted in the media as an expert in her field once said, "I feel what I do does make a difference." She was quite right. Sadly, Cindy will not see her 48th birthday. Cindy greeted everyone; family and strangers alike with, "Hello my Friend!" Now we must say goodbye daughter, goodbye sister, goodbye aunt, goodbye Friend! Cindy will be painfully missed by her parents, her partner Rishika Williams, her brother and sister Christopher and Jennifer, sister-in-law Veronica, and most especially by "her boys," nephews Avery, Holden and Oliver to whom she was "crazy-fun Auntie Cindy!" Cindy leaves behind a group of very close friends, a second family of sorts, in her "Sisters," especially Sky. You are the women and friends who stuck by her, supported her through thick and thin over the last few decades and right up to her final days as guardian angels at her bedside. You are too many to mention, but please know that the family appreciates that you were an integral part of her life. We would also like to thank the many wonderful Doctors, researchers and support staff at Princess Margaret Hospital that were dedicated to helping keep Cindy with us as long as possible. It would be remiss not to mention Cindy's feline family: Juniper Moon, Elijah River and Grover Benjamin. She had an affinity for taking the vulnerable under her wing whether it be a cat or a fellow human being. "Meowing" a final send-off. n the spirit of Cindy's efforts to carry on and eradicate this horrible disease, donations to Ovarian Cancer Canada, or to Sistering, or Amnesty International, in lieu of flowers would be appreciated, and/or, also in keeping with Cindy's spirit, if you are unable to make a financial donation, kindly "pay-it-forward" with a good deed in her memory. A private family service has already taken place. A Celebration of Life is being planned and information on date and venue will be forthcoming to all friends and family. Condolences - www.rosar-morrison.com