Julia F. Cowan

Cowan, Julia F.
LATHAM - Julia Frances Cowan, known by all as "Fran," 95, passed away on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Eddy Heritage House, where she resided since May 2023. Fran was born in Troy, N.Y., on April 21, 1930. She was the third of six children of George Leslie MacCubbin and Julia Frances Coleman.
On July 2, 1949, Fran married John L. Cowan of Lansingburgh. John was known to many as "Ozzie" or "Oz." After living for a brief time in Lansingburgh, as their family began to grow, the couple moved to Latham in December 1956. Their home, especially their backyard, was full of activity, laughter, and fun, created not only by their four children, but by the many neighborhood children who enjoyed the Cowan backyard pool and makeshift baseball diamond. When people would comment that Fran had no grass in her backyard, her response was always, "I'm not growing grass, I'm growing kids." The home also served as a gathering place for friends and family for barbeques, game nights, and other get-togethers. Fran could always be counted on for a good game of cards, which she continued to enjoy until her final days. Fran greatly enjoyed social events and loved being around friends and family. For more than 30 years, each Saturday morning, Fran hosted a weekly coffee "group" which included many regular attendees and a host of drop-ins who loved joining in from time-to-time when they were in the area. Every Saturday morning was filled with laughter, conversation, and a plethora of storytelling, fueled by pots and pots of coffee and a tray of pastries from Bella Napoli.
Fran was an excellent baker and as her children grew, the family enjoyed her fresh-baked treats daily. In her later years, if Fran hosted or was invited to any gathering outside her home, one could always count on her to supply multiple desserts, especially cakes and pies which she always ensured were made to reflect the personal preferences of her guests and hosts. Fran's pies were sure to make every holiday dinner even more special.
As a young woman, Fran worked for Montgomery Ward Company and, once her children were older, she was employed by Office Assistance of Latham and Nold-Miller Printing of Troy. However, her most notable job was that of mother, not just to the four children to whom she gave birth, but to the many other children she helped raise. With a 13-year difference between her and her sister, Mildred, Fran was first placed into a maternal role at a young age. As a newly minted wife, when Fran's brother, Ronald, was born in 1947, Fran and Oz welcomed Ronnie into their home and helped to raise him for the first five years of his life. Later, in 1967, when Fran's best-friend and next-door-neighbor, Marilyn Woods, passed away unexpectedly, Fran helped to raise Marilyn's three sons, Tim, Kevin, and Mike.
Fran graduated from Troy High School in 1947 and was proud of her academic achievement which allowed her to skip a grade and earn academic honors in English. These skills were most certainly helpful in her weekly completion of the New York Times Sunday Crossword. Fran's commitment to Troy High continued well beyond her graduation. For many years, she served as a member and officer of the Edward C. Picken Troy High School Athletic Hall of Fame, helping to select award recipients and planning the annual recognition dinner. In gratitude for her many years of service, Fran was formally inducted as a Friend of the Athletic Hall of Fame.
Fran was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her daughter, Laurie Conley; her son, Michael; her brother, George Leslie and his wife, Theresa; her sisters and their husbands, Cecelia (Cissy) and Joe Gavin, and Joan and Joe Caulfield; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Bruce Barnes; as well as her step-granddaughter, Theresa DiCesare. Fran also mourned the loss of her many friends who were important fixtures in her life over the years, especially Joyce Quackenbush, June Martin, Delores Ricci, and Mary Moore.
Fran attended Our Lady of Assumption Church in Latham and attended Mass daily for many years until her health precluded her from doing so. Her commitment to her faith was central to her life. She prayed the rosary each day. Her daily prayer list, recited alphabetically, was extensive and included the names of both those who passed before her as well as anyone she felt was in need of a prayer.
Fran is survived by her sister, Mildred Cross of Emerald Isle, N.C.; and her brother, Ronald MacCubbin residing in Missouri. Fran leaves behind her children, Stephen (Lucille Marion) of Latham, Matthew (Frannie Agostine) of Troy; her daughter-in-law, Kathy Cowan of Latham; and her son-in-law, Kevin Conley (Cindy) of Castleton-on Hudson. She also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, Regan DeMartino (Joe) of Charlton; Erin Cowan (Ed Colihan) of Lithia, Fla.; Courtney Schrader (Tom) of San Diego, Calif.; Elizabeth Cowan (Keegan Nally) of Latham; Abby Cowan (Mike Kuzia-Carmel) of Albany; Sarah Renaud (Dan) of Albany; John Cowan (Bridget Burgoyne) of Boston, Mass.; Zachary Conley (Alissa) of Delmar; Kylie Conley (Tanya Limar) of Selkirk; and Ryen Conley (Justin Tatar) of Rensselaer; as well as step-granddaughter, Nicole Gowan (Maxim) of Ben Lomond, Calif. Fran was blessed with 16 great-grandchildren. Their photos adorned her wall and she so enjoyed looking at them daily. Fran is also survived by the other "sons" she raised, Timothy of Cohoes; Kevin of Hilton Head, S.C.; and Michael (Michele) Woods of Latham. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. Fran greatly appreciated the love and devotion expressed by her niece, Patty MacCubbin of Burlington, Vt., as well as the many lunches and visits they shared over the years.
Friends and family may call from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, November 13, at The Dufresne and Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Rd., Latham. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, November 14, at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 498 Watervliet Shaker Rd., Latham, with interment following at noon, at the Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd., Schuylerville.
Special thanks are offered to all the staff of Eddy Heritage House. A special shout-out is extended to the Eddy's activities staff, in particular, Carly, who was always able to cajole Fran into participating in activities and who brought a smile to Fran's face with her warmth and caring.
Memorial donations can be made in Fran's name to Boys Town, P.O. Box 8000, Boys Town, Neb. 68010 (https://www/boystown.org/ways-to-give.org) or a charity of your choice.
For further information or to express a message of condolence, please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com