Dorothy Fagan Cowley

Dorothy Fagan Cowley, 94, known affectionately to those who knew and loved her as "Mama D," passed away peacefully on Saturday afternoon at Mercy Hospice, Scranton.

Born in Jessup, PA, the late daughter of Martin and Mary Ellen Jennings Fagan, Dorothy attended Jessup High School, where she was a member of the debate team and business manager of the first female basketball team in the midvalley. She graduated from Lackawanna Business College with a degree in business. Dorothy married her husband, Patrick Cowley, in 1946. After 56 years of loving marriage, her husband preceded her in death in September 2001.

Dorothy was a vibrant woman who loved life and knew how to enjoy it. An accomplished artist, her 90th birthday was celebrated by a showing of over 20 of her original artworks. She cherished her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved spending family time at her Moosic Lake summer home. Her vitality was an inspiration to all who were in her company. Dorothy was long active in St. Joseph's Center Auxiliary and served as president of Marywood College Mother's Club. Throughout most of her life, she was a member of Nativity of Our Lord Church and was an active member of its Altar and Rosary Society.

The family wants to express gratitude to Dr. Jeremiah Eagen, who so lovingly and adeptly cared for Dorothy and her husband for many decades that both lived into their 90s, and to Dr. Michael Turock, who assisted Dorothy in her final months of life. They also wish to acknowledge the compassionate care provided by the staff of Oakwood Assisted Living, Moosic; AseraCare Hospice, Clarks Summit; and Mercy Hospice, Scranton.

Surviving are a daughter, Dr. Judith Scheatzle and her husband, Al, Clarks Summit; and three sons, John Cowley and his wife, Jojo, Scranton; Patrick Cowley, Sterling; and Atty. Michael Cowley, Clarks Summit. Also surviving are fifteen grandchildren: Tara McNulty, Atty. Shannon McNulty, Casey McNulty, Katie Cowley Morano, Meghan Cowley Reno, Bridget Cowley Schroeder, Molly Cowley, Marissa Cowley Deitch, Rachael Cowley, Elizabeth Cowley, Nora Cowley, Maura Cowley, Patrick Cowley, Atty. Margaret Cowley and Caroline Cowley as well as four great-grandchildren.

Dorothy is also survived by a sister, Isobel McDonnell and a brother-in-law "Mac" McDonnell, Jessup; and several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by a brother, John Fagan; and two sisters, Ann Betacchini and Alice Reap.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John Neumann (formerly Nativity) Church, 633 Orchard St., Scranton, on Tuesday morning at 10:30. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church at 9:30 a.m. Funeral arrangements by the Eugene A. Cusick Funeral Home.