Harriet Louise Cowen

Harriet Cowen Obituary

Harriet Louise Cowen

BENA, Va. -- Harriet Louise Cowen, a talented artist who worked primarily in pen-and-ink and watercolor, died October 18 at Sanders Nursing Home after a year-long battle with metastatic melanoma. She was 83.

Born Harriet Louise Goodwin, she grew up on a family dairy farm in Fairfield, Maine, and throughout her life she retained a deep love for New England's woods and coast. After graduating from the New England Conservatory of Music, where she specialized in violin performance and music education, she took up a teaching post in Wichita, Kansas. There she met Earl Lawrence Cowen, himself a vocalist, violinist, and organist. They married in 1951. In 1956 the couple moved to Canton, Ohio with the first two of their children. As a homemaker Mrs. Cowen was a proficient cook and seamstress, and she also completed a correspondence course with the Art Instruction Schools of Minneapolis, Minnesota. With her third child well into his schooling, she began using her skills as an illustrator making maps for a local oil and gas company.

When her husband died in 1971, Mrs. Cowen went into business for herself selling sketches and note cards at arts-and-crafts shows. She was known especially for her beautifully detailed, commissioned ``home portraits." In 1989 she moved to Bena, Virginia, where she joined the York River Symphony Orchestra and soon established herself as an accomplished local artist. She produced a series of posters for the annual Daffodil Festival, illustrated the working lives of Guinea watermen, and drew area landmarks such as churches and historic buildings. She gathered inspiration while traveling in an RV labeled ``Miss Harriet's Chariot" with the license plate ``ISKETCH."

Mrs. Cowen is survived by her three children, Lena Cowen Orlin of Bethesda, Maryland, Lawrence Earl Cowen of Bedford, New Hampshire, and Perry Jay Cowen of Albuquerque, New Mexico; her two grand-daughters, Kaitlyn and Kelsey Cowen of Bedford, New Hampshire; and her brother, Roscoe Irving Goodwin of Estero, Florida.

A memorial service will be held at Hogg Funeral Home, 3098 George Washington Memorial Highway, Gloucester Point, on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 2 p.m. A reception will follow at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 2101 Mark Pine Road, Bena. In Harriet's memory, the family requests no flowers and all remembrances be made as donations ``In Memory of Harriet Cowen" to the nonprofit, tax deductible organization Riverside Walter Reed Hospice, Box 1130, Gloucester, Virginia 23061. Condolences may be shared online with the family at www.hoggfh.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Akron Beacon Journal on Oct. 28, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Harriet Cowen

9 Entries

To my wife, Cathie Molli

Cathie Molli

December 14, 2018

Im pleased my wife knew you, she died of cancer in 2015. I just found a signed copy 63/75, a boy and girl looking at basket of daffodils. To my knowledge shared this with never shared with me, but to see it numbered and signed to from her, an explication if possible. Kevin Molli, her husband. Cathie was born in Gloucester VA

Mary Lindamood

November 17, 2008

To the family of Harriet Cowen:

I had the pleasure of meeting Harriet about 20 years ago. She was exhibiting her art at Chesterfield Town Center near Richmond, VA. I saw the watercolor of "Where the Ladies Meet" featuring Holstein Dairy cows. I grew up on a farm with Holsteins, so I had to have the watercolor and some note cards. I continued to see her at shows. I went to one of her exhibits at Mathews, VA and one at the Christmas sale at William and Mary College. After I moved to FL, I communicated mainly with Christmas cards, but also called her on occasion including one in which I asked for several more prints similar to ones that I already had. I loved her sense of humor in her art. I gave her the "cow" pin that she thought was very funny. I got a chance to visit her last October at Sanders. Her smile and sense of humor were great to experience again. I am so sorry for your loss and that of the world of art. She so loved her work.

Nan Belvin McComber

November 17, 2008

I am so sorry to learn of Harriet's passing. I knew her through the Guinea Jubilee, and Guinea was always very special for her. I commissioned her to paint a picture of our former home in Falls Church, VA, and it is simply beautiful. In fact, she told me that was the last one she would ever be able to do. She was a kind and very talented lady and will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you, and I will always cherish my memories of her.

Jeannie Meisner

October 31, 2008

Harriet, I'll miss you terribly. Your beautiful smile and hearty laugh will always be a warm memory of you. I'm blessed for having known you.

Cutia (Molson) Yoder

October 30, 2008

Lena, I was so sorry to hear about your mother's passing. I still remember the good times we had at your house and your party after you moved away from York school. May God keep you in his care.

Nancy Parkinson

October 27, 2008

Harriet was my aunt and I love her. Although I did not see her often, when I talked with her on the phone the past few years I could feel the love she had for me. She would always ask about my boys even though she had not met them. I pray she will be able to continue her art without pain now that she is in a place without suffering. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to her children and of course my wonderful dad. I know he will miss her deeply. God bless, Nancy and Paul Parkinson, Cameron and Christian.

Joanne Ward

October 26, 2008

Harriet was my neighbor for nine years and my husband and I loved her. She was a warm, wonderful and generous lady. She drew our two dogs and gave the picture to me for my birthday, because "she knew it would make me smile". I will miss her laugh and her stories about the trips she always took. Something always happened! God bless, Harriet.

Margaret Perritt

October 26, 2008

There is no way to express the sense of loss I feel after having read of Harriet's death. She was, quite simply, a treasure. Her ready smile, her love of life, her soft acceptance of people--all the characteristics of a lady were there when one was in her prescence. Her artwork lives on in the homes of so many people--and I know each piece brings a smile as we pass and touch in her memory...we will miss her terribly.

Anne Tayman

October 26, 2008

For the past few months I had the opportunity to share Abby, my therapy dog with Mrs. Cowen. I will always remember Mrs. Cowen's smile when she saw Abby come into her room. Our visits with Mrs. Cowen are now a very special memory.
Anne Tayman

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results