Elinor Chapin "Elie" COWAN

COWAN, Elinor "Elie" Chapin


Elinor "Elie" Chapin Cowan (90) of West Hartford and a resident of Windsor for over 50 years, passed away on Monday, (August 19, 2013). She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, John D. Cowan, in July 2010. Elie and Jack were best friends since junior high school. Elinor was born in Springfield, Mass., the daughter of Roy and Gertrude Colvin Chapin. She was a direct descendent of Deacon Samuel Chapin, one of the original founders of Springfield. Elie graduated from Classical High School in Springfield in 1942, and later graduated from the Chamberlain School in Boston. Elie was formerly employed as a Service Representative by New England Telephone Company, the former Charter Oak and Trust Company as well as Olympic Sales Company of Windsor Locks. She was a life-time member of the First Church in Windsor and a member of the John Warham Society for those with more than 40 years of church membership. Elie was a member of the original committee which founded the First Church Nursery School in 1956. She served as Financial Secretary of First Church for 13 years and later as Assistant Treasurer. She was a member, auditor and former Treasurer of the First Church Women's Club. In addition to raising a family, Elie and Jack enjoyed travelling to many parts of the world, from Africa to South America, Asia, Europe and especially the island of Bermuda. Mrs. Cowan was predeceased by her sister Elizabeth Chapin Hillery of Sliver Springs, MD, her brother Roy C. Chapin of York, PA, and her step-mother Mildred Bellows of Longmeadow, MA. Mrs. Cowan is survived by her son John C. Cowan and wife Margaret of Avon, her daughter Judith C. Quinn and husband Joseph of East Windsor, and her son Keith O. Cowan and wife Ann of Atlanta, GA. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Matthew Quinn and wife Cara of West Hartford, Laura Quinn of Arlington, MA, Ashley and Katelyn Cowan of San Francisco, CA, Kevin Cowan of West Hartford, William of Atlanta, GA, and Jane and Elinor Cowan of New York, NY. Elie had one great-grandchild, her namesake and light of her life, Grace Veronica Quinn of West Hartford. She is also survived by 2 stepbrothers, Richard S. Bellows of Wilton, ME, and William O. Bellows of Feeding Hills, MA. The family would like to thank Elinor's caregivers from St. Mary's Nursing Home and Masonicare Hospice for the supported they provided.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 24 at the First Congregational Church in Windsor, 107 Palisado Ave followed by burial in Palisado Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Congregation Church in Windsor, 107 Palisado Ave., Windsor, CT, 06095. For online condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com