Danielle Cowley

Dansville- Danielle Cowley, passed away June 6th, 2024, at the age of 44 following a long battle with leukemia.
She was born April 1st, 1980, in Osage, Iowa, a daughter of the late Michael and Kaye Brophy. Danielle was predeceased by her father-in-law,Terry Cowley.
Danielle grew up in Lourdes, Iowa and was a 1998 graduate of Crestwood High School in Cresco, Iowa. With her love of sports and cheerful disposition, Danielle was a natural addition to both the Football and Basketball Cheerleader teams during her high school years. Following high school, Danielle attended Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, double majoring in Education and Athletic Training. She went on to earn her master's degree in Sport Psychology from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York. It was during the next few years, working in vocational services for adults with disabilities, that sparked Danielle's compassion and dedication for inclusivity. Danielle earned a Ph.D. in Special Education from Syracuse University School of Education. From there, she held several Professorships starting at San Francisco State University, then the University of Northern Iowa, and finally, at Alfred University. She was the recipient of many awards during her career, including the Outstanding Dissertation Award from the American Education Research Association.
Danielle's love for her work was clear to anyone who had the honor of knowing her. She was a wonderful teacher who was incredibly proud of and committed to her students. She was also highly involved in inclusive education reform work, and throughout her career collaborated with local schools and families to effect change in schools towards inclusivity. Danielle was also an incredibly talented writer; it was difficult to walk away after reading Danielle's work without wanting to change the world and make schooling a more inclusive and happier place for children.
Danielle was a wonderful wife and mother. She was loving, devoted, playful, and filled her home with an endearing giggle of joy. Danielle and her husband, Patrick Cowley, were married in Letchworth State Park and enjoyed 18 years of marriage together. They shared many joyful and adventurous experiences, including competing in triathlons, moving across the country and back, and raising their two wonderful sons: Canagan and Bear. Her greatest joy was filling her children's lives with laughter and happiness. She was an expert in Lego building, always had time for a Minecraft power hour, and hosted movie nights filled with candy and popcorn.
Despite living on both coasts, Danielle cherished her Iowan roots and was a faithful Iowa Hawkeye fan, sporting black and yellow on the weekends to support her team. She enjoyed following and talking sports and loved all the gossip on morning Sport Talk shows. She enjoyed spending time with her family, eating dinner slowly so she could enjoy a good conversation, was always happy to share a good beer or try a new bottle of wine, loved cool and fashionable sneakers, and could always make a ball cap look stylish. Finally, most know Danielle as a person who radiated positivity and was an absolute joy to be around.
A Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date. Arrangements by the Hindle Funeral Home Inc. 271 Main St. Dansville,NY 14437. Online remembrances may be left at HindleFuneralHome.com
She is survived by her husband Patrick Cowley and their children: Canagan and Bear Cowley of Dansville, NY; her mother-in-law, Karen Cowley of Dansville, NY; her siblings Sean (Sarah) Brophy of Lourdes, IA, Amber Hummel of Le Roy, MN, and sister-in-law Meghan (Tom) Tripiciano of Henrietta, NY; as well as and many nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly.
Contributions in memory of Dr. Danielle Cowley can be made to an educational fund for Danielle's children, and to a fund for a Memorial Scholarship in Danielle's name for college students pursuing degrees in Education. Links to both of these funds can be found on the left hand side of the webpage.